One of Brazil’s most popular singers, Marilia Mendonca, has been killed in a plane crash on her way to a concert.
The 26-year-old Latin Grammy winner died along with her producer, her uncle, who also worked as her adviser, and both the pilot and co-pilot of the plane, her press office said in a statement.
Mendonca had posted a photo to her 38 million Instagram followers showing her walking towards the plane with a guitar case in hand.
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Mendonca, 26, was one of Brazil’s most popular singers and a Latin Grammy winner. Pic: AP
The plane had departed from Mendonca’s hometown of Goiania and crashed shortly before arrival in Caratinga on Friday afternoon, where she had a concert scheduled later in the day.
Photos and s show the wreckage of the plane lying near a waterfall.
Mendonca performed country music, called sertanejo in Brazil, and was known for songs that addressed feminist issues and celebrated female empowerment.
Fans, politicians, fellow musicians and football players have commented following news of her death.
“I refuse to believe, I just refuse,” Brazilian footballer Neymar, who is a friend of Mendonca, tweeted.
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Firefighters search through the debris at the crash site of the flight. Pic: AP
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro mourned the passing “of one of the greatest artists of her generation.”
“The entire country receives the news in shock,” he tweeted.
“Marilia Mendonca leaves behind a legacy for Brazilian regional music and culture. She will certainly not be forgotten,” Brazil’s government said via its culture department.
An investigation into the crash has been launched, but state-run power company Cemig said her plane collided with an electricity distribution line owned by the company before it crashed.
Mendonca won the 2019 Latin Grammy for best sertanejo album for her record Em Todos os Cantos.
A live broadcast of her concert during the COVID-19 lockdown in Brazil drew 3.3 million viewers, a world record for YouTube at the time.
She is survived by her son, who will turn two years old next month.
