A couple has died and their daughter was injured after their hot air balloon caught fire – moments after they posed for one last family photo in front of the plane.
Mexican authorities confirmed that the accident occurred in Mexico City on Saturday and claimed the lives of two victims, Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife, Feridiana Becerril, 38. The couple were from nearby Caujimalpa de Morelos, 12 miles away.
Video posted on social media by terrified onlookers shows the incident – the balloon is seen rapidly descending while engulfed in flames. The terrifying footage also shows passengers either falling or jumping from the vehicle, to the dismay of onlookers.
Police said the couple’s daughter, identified as Regina Itzani, was on board the balloon, but she is expected to survive. It is believed that she jumped from the craft, and maintained a Broken arm and second degree burns.
Her age was not immediately clear. Some reports surfaced that she was 13 years old, while some posts on social media suggested she was 23. A pilot was also reported to be on board the airship, whose location has yet to be determined.
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The accident occurred in Mexico City on Saturday and claimed the lives of two victims, Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife, Feridiana Becerril, 39. The couple’s daughter, Regina Itzani (Eher) was also seen on the airship, but is expected to survive.
Video posted to social media by terrified onlookers shows the balloon rapidly descending while engulfed in flames. Passengers are shown falling or jumping out of the vehicle
Her age is not listed by the local police. The accident occurred over the pre-Hispanic ruin site of Teotihuacan, just north of the city – a popular site for both locals and tourists to take part in balloon rides.
Known for its temples to the twin sun and moon, it was once a large city of over 100,000 pre-Aztec residents and encompassed nearly 8 square miles.
The ancient city was one of the largest in the world in its heyday between 100 BC and 750 AD, before being abandoned by the rise of the Aztecs in the 1300s.
Footage taken at the historic site shows the hot air balloon deflating as the basket below, as the Mexican family was enjoying a ride, was quickly engulfed in flames.
One onlooker can be heard saying in Spanish, “Oh my God, people are falling” as one person falls to the ground – another is seen jumping up soon after. The vehicle also appears to be pinned to the ground, though cops have yet to confirm why.
It was not immediately clear if that person was Regina or the hot air balloon pilot who was also said to be on the plane.
Police did not confirm if the second person seen jumping from the basket in the footage was the pilot. His whereabouts remain unknown as of Sunday.
Mexican police were seen at the site where the balloon landed on Saturday, covering what are presumed to be the couples’ bodies with a tarp.
Local officials confirmed that the family hails from Cajimalpa de Morelos, a region west of Mexico City.
Police in Mexico City said Sunday that the cause of the accident is under investigation.
Mexican police were seen at the site where the balloon landed on Saturday, covering what are presumed to be the couples’ bodies with a tarp.
Police in Mexico City said Sunday that the cause of the accident is under investigation
The incident occurred over the pre-Hispanic ruin site of Teotihuacan, just north of the city – a historic site known for its pre-Aztec pyramids.
Cops said the hot air balloon pilot who was said to be on board was not located until Sunday.
Police did not confirm the identity of the second person who was seen jumping from the basket when asked at the weekend
Footage shows the hot air balloon deflating as flames quickly engulf the basket below, as the Mexican family was enjoying their ride
One onlooker can be heard saying in Spanish, “Oh my God, people are falling” as one person falls to the ground – and another is seen jumping up shortly after.
Yesterday, a family selfie taken moments before the hot air balloon exploded was circulating on social media, as it turned out that the ride was a surprise birthday gift that Regina and her father had organized for Viridiana.
Regina’s grandmother, Rena Gloria Sarmiento, told the local press that the girl had not yet been told of her parents’ death.
She added, “It was the birthday of my daughter Veridiana, who is Regina’s mother, and they prepared this trip as a surprise for her.”
Gloria said her granddaughter was “conscious” and stable in hospital, and also revealed that she hugged her parents before jumping out of a hot air balloon.
The investigation into the tragedy continues. Initial local reports stated that it may be related to a malfunction in the fuel storage system.
We send our condolences to the family, friends and acquaintances of José Nolasco and Feridiana Becerril who perished in the hot air balloon tragedy in Teotihuacan, city hall officials in Caujimalpa de Morelos west of Mexico City said in a statement. .
Our thoughts and prayers are with Regina and we wish her a speedy recovery.
Known for its temples to the twin sun and moon, it was once a large city of over 100,000 pre-Aztec residents and encompassed nearly 8 square miles.
The ancient city was one of the largest in the world in its heyday between 100 BC and 750 AD, before being abandoned by the rise of the Aztecs in the 1300s. It is a popular site for both locals and tourists to take part in hot air balloon rides
