A man was killed and two others injured after a hot air balloon started blazing mid-air, turning Mexico’s First Balloon Festival into a nightmare. The tragedy in Enrique Estrada, Zacatecas, was captured by bystanders and has gone viral.
According to reports, the incident happened around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, during festivities held in honour of the town’s patron saint. The festive atmosphere took a tragic turn when one of the hot air balloons seemingly encountered a serious malfunction, though the exact cause has yet to be determined.
The startling video footage shows the moment the hot air balloon ascended and when it came plummeting down following the fire. In the video, flames engulf the hot air balloon’s basket as it descends. In one harrowing clip, the man is seen hanging from a rope beneath the basket moments before he plunges to his death. Reports say he fell into a remote area.
Although his identity was not disclosed, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, Secretary General of the Zacatecas Government, confirmed he died at the scene. Mugüerza, through a public statement, also reported that local emergency teams responded immediately to the scene. However, only two of the individuals involved survived and were rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening first-degree burns, according to authorities.
According to Aerotime, Reyes Mugüerza expressed sorrow over the tragedy and said that there is a need for tighter safety measures at public events. He also called on municipalities to intensify safety checks and civil protection protocols at future festivals and activities.
Additionally, Mugüerza said that the State Attorney General’s Office has launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess whether the balloon met proper safety regulations before takeoff.
Aerotime also reported that another balloon-related incident happened earlier this year in Teotihuacán. On January 12, a balloon drifted uncontrollably due to strong winds and crash-landed in Axapusco. Two tourists sustained injuries in the incident, but there were no fatalities.
