Seven persons were hurt when a hot air balloon crashed to the ground after catching fire before takeoff.
The balloon’s basket included four women and three men when the terrifying occurrence occurred in Switzerland this morning.
Shortly after 6 a.m. local time, emergency personnel were summoned to the location in the village of Hünenberg, southwest of Zurich.
Police in the canton of Zug said one man and two women were rushed to hospital in a serious condition.
The other four occupants – two women and two men – suffered minor injuries.
Paramedics took some of the injured to hospital, while others were taken privately.
Those on board were aged between 28 and 62.
Pictures from the scene show thick black smoke pouring from the disintegrated basket and balloon’s parachute as flames continue to tear through it.
It is not immediately clear what caused the fire, but the incident is now under investigation by the Swiss Safety Investigation Board SUST.
The federal prosecutor has also been informed.
A police spokesman said: ’20 members of the Hünenberg fire brigade, several ambulances from the Zug and Küssnacht am Rigi rescue services, the emergency doctor vehicle from the Zug rescue services, several patrols from the Zug police and an employee from the fire brigade inspectorate were on duty.’
In April this year, a couple were killed and their teenage daughter was left with serious injuries after they were forced to jump from a hot air balloon when it burst into flames.
Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39, died after the horrific accident near the pre-Hispanic ruin site of Teotihuacan, just north of Mexico City.
Their daughter Regina Itzani, 13, survived but suffered second-degree burns and a broken arm.
The family had posed for a photo just moments before the hot air balloon burst into flames on what was supposed to be a surprise birthday present for Viridiana, organised by Jose and Regina.
Last year, two Spanish people died and three others were hurt after a hot air balloon made a crash landing in Turkey.
The accident happened in the central Cappadocia region, where millions of tourists go sightseeing every year.
There were 28 tourists and two crew members on board when the balloon made a hard landing after the tour of volcanic rock formations.
None those injured suffered life-threatening injuries.