US: Hot air balloon fire in Texas, 16 people died

(Baonghean.vn) - A spokesman for the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that on July 30, a hot air balloon caught fire and crashed into a grassland, nearly 50 km south of Austin, the capital of Texas state, killing at least 16 people on board.

Police at the scene of the accident. Photo: BBC.

Local media quoted the Austin sheriff's office as saying there were no survivors in the accident, while the FAA said at least 16 people on board the balloon died.

Federal officials said the balloon caught fire and crashed in the Lockhart area of ​​central Texas, about 50 kilometers south of the capital Austin. There was no information about the altitude of the balloon when it caught fire and crashed.

Nearby roads were blocked and local authorities set up tents near the scene of the accident.

Investigators are currently at the scene to determine the exact number of victims and carry out identification. Meanwhile, FAA and National Transportation Safety Board officials are also on their way to the scene to conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident.

A fire is believed to have broken out in the passenger compartment of a hot air balloon. Illustration photo.

According to witnesses, there were high-voltage power lines above the area where the accident occurred. A video recorded by a witness showed smoke coming from an object stuck on the power line.

At the time of the accident there was no extreme weather, the wind speed was only 18 km/h.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the crash “a tragic event.” He and his wife, Cecilia, sent their condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

Lan Ha

(According to Guardian, Dailymail)