Zacatecas, Zacatecas — A 40-year-old man died after falling from a hot air balloon while the balloon’s basket caught fire. The accident happened around 8:00 a.m. Sunday approximately 30 kilometers from the city of Zacatecas.
The hot air balloon, carrying three, was participating in the city’s First Balloon Festival. While still on the ground with two other balloons, one broke free of its tether just as a flash of flame erupted in the basket.
Inside the basket were three people. One man was able to get the other two out, however, as the balloon moved, he became entangled in a rope that lifted him into the air.
He was seen suspended by the rope attached to the burning balloon as it continued to rise into the sky. He eventually fell. The deceased has been identified as 40 year old Luicio “N”. Police arrived at the scene to recover the man’s body.
The Secretary General of the Zacatecas government, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza confirmed the death saying local authorities immediately responded to the scene to provide support. He says he has also requested that the State Attorney General’s Office conduct the necessary investigation to clarify what happened.
“I regret to inform you that during the First Balloon Festival, part of the Enrique Estrada 2025 Fair organized by the city council of this municipality, a person lost their life after an unfortunate incident while aboard a hot air balloon.
“Authorities immediately responded to the scene to provide care and support to those affected,” Reyes Mugüerza stated in a Facebook post.
“We have asked the State Attorney General’s Office to conduct the corresponding investigations to clarify the facts and determine responsibility. We urge all municipal authorities to strengthen their verification mechanisms to avoid these types of risks during their activities and festivities,” he added.
