One person has been killed after a hot air balloon plummeted from the sky and bounced up and down multiple times in the Netherlands.
There were 34 people on board when the balloon crashed on Wednesday evening in a meadow in the province of Friesland.
Five passengers were injured as they fell out of the basket when the air balloon landed.
Local authorities confirmed the incident, stating the balloon ‘came down quickly around 9pm and hit the ground hard’.
The aircraft had taken off from Joure – a town infamous for its colourfulballoon festival that takes place every summer – at around 8pm local time.
Monique Hoogeslag of the Royal Netherlands Aeronautical Association (KNVvL) said that while the descent rate appeared normal, a sudden wind gust dramatically increased its forward speed just before touchdown.
Eyewitnesses reported the envelope and basket bounced several times across the field.
An air ambulance and 14 ambulances were deployed at the site to assist.
According to the Veiligheidsregio Fryslân, the injured passengers were taken to hospital.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the accident.
Multiple people killed in hot air balloon crashes
Hot air balloon excursions have grown in popularity in recent years, but so have incidents.
Just this summer, Metro reported on two separate deadly crashes – one in Turkey’s world-famous Cappadocia region, known for its colourful hot air balloon displays, and the other in the Brazilian city of Praia Grande.
As many as four people were killed collectively in the two incidents.
How safe are hot air balloons in the UK?
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Hot air balloon accidents are relatively rare, but when they do happen, they can result in serious injuries or fatalities – with the majority during the landing phase.
In the UK, deadly crashes do not happen often, but they are not enitely unheard of.
A study carried out between 1976 and 2004 found that 98 incidents had happened, with two fatalities and 50 serious injuries, according to a report on ScienceDirect.
Just a week ago, a hot air balloon almost tipped over after it crashed into a primary school in Bristol.
Footage showed the navy balloon, with JLL emblazoned on it, descend rapidly before crashing into the roof with a loud thud.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta said there were no injuries.
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