On Thursday afternoon, near Boselov in Slovakia’s scenic Považie region, a hot air balloon caught fire mid-air and crashed into a field. The balloon, carrying six people, was quickly engulfed in flames. Four died at the scene, and two were hospitalized with severe injuries.
Eyewitnesses described seeing the balloon descend rapidly, trailing smoke and fire. Authorities are investigating, with early speculation pointing to a possible gas leak in the burner system. Lety Balonom, the operating company, expressed deep sorrow and grounded its fleet pending the inquiry.
This tragedy has shocked local communities and reignited debates about balloon safety. Hot air ballooning, while rare in accidents, can turn deadly in emergencies. Slovak officials and aviation experts are urging stricter oversight to prevent future disasters.
The picturesque hills of Považie now bear a grim reminder of how quickly adventure can turn into tragedy.
