A MAN has tragically fallen to his death after a hot air balloon caught fire during a festival, with the horrifying moment caught on camera.
The 40-year-old man, identified as Luicio N., heroically saved two other passengers before his fatal plunge.
Footage shared on social media shows him dangling from a rope as the burning balloon continued to ascend.
The mishap transpired at the inaugural Balloon Festival held at the Enrique Estrada Fair, located approximately 19 miles from Zacatecas city, Mexico, on Sunday.
Luicio and two others were aboard the balloon when it suddenly caught fire on the ground.
In a split-second act of bravery, Luicio pulled the two passengers from the flaming basket, guiding them to safety.
However, in the chaos, he became entangled in the balloon’s lines, and the basket continued to rise.
Hanging from the rope, Luicio was carried higher into the air before finally letting go, falling many feet to the ground.
He was declared dead after the fall, according to Riviera Maya News.
Two other passengers suffered first-degree burns and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The heart-wrenching incident unfolded in front of horrified festival-goers, who witnessed the man’s tragic final moment.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“I am saddened to report that at the First Balloon Festival, a segment of the Enrique Estrada 2025 Fair, which the city council of this municipality arranged, a tragic accident claimed the life of an individual while they were on a hot air balloon,” stated Secretary General Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza.
Following the incident, local police recovered Luicio’s body, while paramedics attended to the injured passengers.
The balloon’s owners have reportedly abandoned the remaining balloons at the scene.
The State Attorney General’s Office has now launched an investigation, urging balloon operators to ensure strict safety measures are in place.
I am saddened to report that at the First Balloon Festival, a segment of the Enrique Estrada 2025 Fair, which the city council of this municipality arranged, a tragic accident claimed the life of an individual while they were on a hot air balloon.
“We have asked the State Attorney General’s Office to conduct the corresponding investigations to clarify the facts and determine responsibility,” Reyes Mugüerza added.
The horrifying footage quickly spread across social media, with viewers reacting in shock after witnessing the man’s fatal fall.
“You couldn’t pay me enough to go in a hot air balloon or helicopter,” said one user.
“Saddest part is at the moment he ran out of grip the balloon started to descend.”
“How sad are the images of the accident.”
A commenter also blamed the city administration for the tragedy.
“Investigate thoroughly, the workers of that City Council are also under deplorable conditions, without benefits, with a much lower salary that was offered to them, doing overtime without being paid, public works staff or protective equipment have and there was also an incident with a worker.”
