Kategori: The Netherlands
One dead after hot air balloon carrying 34 people crashes in Netherlands
One person has been killed after a hot air balloon plummeted from the sky and bounced up and down multiple times in the Netherlands.
There were 34 people on board when the balloon crashed on Wednesday evening in a meadow in the province of Friesland.
Five passengers were injured as they fell out of the basket when the air balloon landed.
Local authorities confirmed the incident, stating the balloon ‘came down quickly around 9pm and hit the ground hard’.
The aircraft had taken off from Joure – a town infamous for its colourfulballoon festival that takes place every summer – at around 8pm local time.
Monique Hoogeslag of the Royal Netherlands Aeronautical Association (KNVvL) said that while the descent rate appeared normal, a sudden wind gust dramatically increased its forward speed just before touchdown.
Eyewitnesses reported the envelope and basket bounced several times across the field.
An air ambulance and 14 ambulances were deployed at the site to assist.
According to the Veiligheidsregio Fryslân, the injured passengers were taken to hospital.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the accident.
Multiple people killed in hot air balloon crashes
Hot air balloon excursions have grown in popularity in recent years, but so have incidents.
Just this summer, Metro reported on two separate deadly crashes – one in Turkey’s world-famous Cappadocia region, known for its colourful hot air balloon displays, and the other in the Brazilian city of Praia Grande.
As many as four people were killed collectively in the two incidents.
How safe are hot air balloons in the UK?
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Hot air balloon accidents are relatively rare, but when they do happen, they can result in serious injuries or fatalities – with the majority during the landing phase.
In the UK, deadly crashes do not happen often, but they are not enitely unheard of.
A study carried out between 1976 and 2004 found that 98 incidents had happened, with two fatalities and 50 serious injuries, according to a report on ScienceDirect.
Just a week ago, a hot air balloon almost tipped over after it crashed into a primary school in Bristol.
Footage showed the navy balloon, with JLL emblazoned on it, descend rapidly before crashing into the roof with a loud thud.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta said there were no injuries.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Our Travel Editors’ picks of underrated destinations in the easyJet summer 2026 sale
EasyJet has launched its big summer 2026 sale, and the team at Metro Travel is here to help you get the most bang for your buck.
Putin ‘ultimately to blame’ for snuffing out 298 lives on downed MH17
Two young British men were onboard the jet when it was shot down by Russian-backed rebels over Ukraine.
Rail ticket gives unlimited travel in 24 countries from £34 — but you need to be quick
There’s less than 24 hours to nab a bargain.
The ‘Venice of the Netherlands’ has no cars and five miles of winding canals
Rent a boat and float around this fairytale village.
Zelensky suits up for Trump meeting and congratulates him on ‘successful operation’ on Iran
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised US President Donald Trump for airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Inside Amsterdam’s plans to build a five-storey ‘erotic prison’ in an affluent suburb
A boutique and cinema are among the other amenities in the controversial building.
Haribo recalls popular sweets over fears they’re laced with cannabis
A family fell ‘quite ill’ after snacking on them.
Multiple people injured after ‘knife rampage’ in the Netherlands
‘There are multiple victims, including a colleague.’
How I spent a weekend in Amsterdam, without stepping foot in the Red Light District
From the Red Light District and its window hawkers to its proclivity for ‘coffee shops’ that are not coffee shops at all, the city is often portrayed as a beacon for salivating tourists and stag parties ready to run amok.