- The balloon ran into trouble in the eastern Georgia countryside.
This is the horrifying moment a hot air balloon crashed and burst into flames, leaving three dead after being carried by the wind towards power lines.
The balloon ran into trouble in the field near the village of Asureti in eastern Georgia, and was reduced to ashes seconds after making the connection.
It can be seen moving close to the hillside before crashing into power lines, and the flames in the basket section quickly intensify.
Part of the balloon then falls to the ground as the wind tears it to shreds, still tied to one of the power lines.
The plane, flown by two experienced pilots, appeared to have trouble descending and even touching down in a field, rocking back and forth before losing control.
The balloon can be seen drifting near the hillside before connecting with a power line, and the flames in the basket section quickly intensify.
Part of the burning balloon then falls to the ground as the wind tears it to shreds, still attached to the power line.
Reports say there were strong winds that contributed to the tragedy.
One of the dead was identified as well-known Imedi TV cameraman Misha Bidzinashvili.
Another was experienced pilot Revaz Uturgauri, founder of Sky Travel and president of the Georgian National Aeronautics Federation, according to reports in Georgia.
Polish pilot Krzysztof Zapart was also reportedly killed in the balloon tragedy.
The balloon took off on Wednesday morning from the Poti stadium in western Georgia, bound for Kakheti in the east.
The balloon destroyed. The plane appeared to have trouble falling and even touching the ground in a field, rocking from side to side before losing control. Reports say there were strong winds that contributed to the tragedy.
One of the dead was identified as well-known Imedi TV cameraman Misha Bidzinashvili.
Another was experienced pilot Revaz Uturgauri (right), founder of Sky Travel and president of the Georgian National Aeronautics Federation, according to reports in Georgia. Polish pilot Krzysztof Zapart (left) also died in the balloon tragedy, according to reports.
An unconfirmed version says that it was a preparatory flight, after which the pilots were going to break the world record for the longest flight in a hot air balloon.
Georgian police opened an investigation into the incident as an alleged violation of security regulations.
It was the first hot air balloon accident in Georgia in nearly two decades.
The images were broadcast by the Mtavari television channel.
“The accident raises questions about the circumstances that led to the loss of control, despite experienced pilots in command,” a report said.
The death of the cameraman was confirmed by Imedi TV, which changed its programming as a sign of respect.