Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Marred by Four Safety Incidents

The 52nd annual event faced challenges including a fire and power outages, but concluded with a successful drone show and mass ascension.

On Saturday, a balloon caught fire after striking power lines, but no injuries were reported and the fire was quickly extinguished.
Friday saw a balloon crash into a radio tower, causing it to fall; the pilot and passengers were unharmed, though the radio station was temporarily off air.
A balloon collided with a tree on Wednesday, resulting in a head injury for one individual and a rescue operation for the gondola stuck 25 feet above ground.
Tuesday's incident involved a balloon hitting power lines, leading to a brief power outage affecting nearly 13,000 customers.
Despite the incidents, the nine-day festival remains a major attraction, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to witness over 100 colorful balloons.