Three people have been seriously injured in a hot air balloon crash (Picture: Zuger Polizei)
A hot air balloon plummeted to the ground after catching fire during take-off – leaving seven people injured.
Four women and three men were in the balloon’s basket when the terrifying incident happened in Switzerland this morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene in the village of Hünenberg, south-west of Zurich, shortly after 6am local time.
Police in the canton of Zug said one man and two women were rushed to hospital in a serious condition.
The other four occupants – two women and two men – suffered minor injuries.
Paramedics took some of the injured to hospital, while others were taken privately.
Those on board were aged between 28 and 62.
The hot air balloon and basket was completely destroyed by the fire (Picture: Zuger Polizei)
Pictures from the scene show thick black smoke pouring from the disintegrated basket and balloon’s parachute as flames continue to tear through it.
It is not immediately clear what caused the fire, but the incident is now under investigation by the Swiss Safety Investigation Board SUST.
The federal prosecutor has also been informed.
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In April this year, a couple were killed and their teenage daughter was left with serious injuries after they were forced to jump from a hot air balloon when it burst into flames.
Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39, died after the horrific accident near the pre-Hispanic ruin site of Teotihuacan, just north of Mexico City.
Their daughter Regina Itzani, 13, survived but suffered second-degree burns and a broken arm.
The family had posed for a photo just moments before the hot air balloon burst into flames on what was supposed to be a surprise birthday present for Viridiana, organised by Jose and Regina.
The family had posed for a picture just moments before the tragic accident (Picture: Facebook)
The hot air balloon caught fire in Mexico in April 2023 (Picture: Twitter)
Forensics investigated following the crash that killed two people (Picture: EPA)
Last year, two Spanish people died and three others were hurt after a hot air balloon made a crash landing in Turkey.
The accident happened in the central Cappadocia region, where millions of tourists go sightseeing every year.
There were 28 tourists and two crew members on board when the balloon made a hard landing after the tour of volcanic rock formations.
None those injured suffered life-threatening injuries.
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Three people have been rushed to hospital in a serious condition.