Dutch hot air balloon incident: One fatality, multiple injuries reported

On the evening of August 13, a hot air balloon experienced a severe landing in Friesland, the Netherlands, resulting in multiple injuries. 

The incident, reported by Dutch media, occurred as the balloon was descending near the village of De Hoeve.

A total of 34 people were on board the balloon when it made an emergency landing in a meadow. Five passengers fell from the basket during the landing and were transported to the hospital with injuries. Tragically, one person died.

A spokesperson for the Royal Dutch Aviation Association explained that a sudden gust of wind caused the balloon to hit the ground forcefully, making the basket bounce and throwing passengers out. The KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) had issued a weather forecast for hot air balloons predicting wind gusts of 10 to 14 knots. However, gusts of up to 17 knots were observed during the landing.

Officials noted that these conditions would not normally pose a danger to a balloon of this size.

Emergency response included the dispatch of two trauma helicopters, and authorities escalated the situation to GRIP 1, meaning multiple emergency services coordinated efforts at the scene.

According to national broadcaster Omroep Fryslân, the balloon had taken off from the town of Joure and is considered one of the largest hot air balloons in the Netherlands.

By Tamilla Hasanova