A video posted on social media showed the gondola of the balloon bursting into flames. (Representative)
Mexico City:
Two people were killed when a hot air balloon caught fire while flying over the famous Teotihuacan archaeological site near Mexico City, the regional government said on Saturday.
Passengers jumped from the balloon, the government of the State of Mexico said in a statement, referring to one child who was scalded.
Mexico 🇲🇽
, Breaking news!🚨🚨
Saturday, 01 April 2023, in the morning.
A hot air balloon catches fire and crashes in Teotihuacan, 2 people are reported killed.
These incidents took place this morning around the Pyramid of the Sun and the area has been cordoned off. pic.twitter.com/DlzJdv2oHH
— Lenar (@Lerpc75) April 1, 2023
It identified the victims as a 39-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man, without giving their names. It said the minor had suffered second degree burns on the face as well as fracture of the right femur.
It did not say whether there were any other passengers on the balloon.
A video posted on social media showed the balloon’s gondola bursting into flames in a completely clear sky.
Several tour operators offer balloon flights over Teotihuacan, 45 miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Mexico City, for about $150.
With its Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan is a popular tourist destination, a living monument of pre-Columbian times.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)