Nine injured in hot air balloon flight in Austria

Nine people were injured in a balloon accident in Austria.

The incident took place in the federal state of Lower Austria, the Austrian Kurier agency reported.

Tourists went for a ride in a hot air balloon. During the landing process, the basket suddenly overturned, and four people fell out of it, including the pilot and attendants. They were dragged along the ground for several meters.

The balloon with five passengers remaining on board took off again, but later got stuck between the trees in the forest.

Two people with serious injuries were taken by emergency helicopter to the hospital. Another seven received assistance on the spot.

The prosecutor's office of Wiener Neustadt opened an investigation against the pilot under the article of causing bodily harm through gross negligence.