One dead, five wounded in hot-air balloon accident
One person was killed and five others injured in a hot-air balloon accident in the northern Dutch province of Friesland, authorities said on Thursday.
The balloon was attempting to land late Wednesday evening near the village of De Hoeve when the incident occurred, a provincial safety authority spokesman told Dutch radio.
There were 34 people on board, including the pilot and co-pilot.
Three of the injured people were in serious condition at the hospital.
According to officials, the balloon was preparing to land in a field near the village when it was suddenly caught by a gust of wind.
Witnesses told reporters that the basket struck the ground several times and was dragged for several metres.
The safety authority spokesman has confirmed those accounts, describing “terrible panic”.
Emergency services were immediately alerted, with ambulances and two helicopters deployed. Five people were taken to the hospital, while one person died at the scene.
A police investigation has been launched.
(dpa/NAN)
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