Overview
- The balloon’s XL basket carried 34 people and struck a meadow near De Hoeve after a sudden gust during its descent.
- Eyewitnesses and police say a violent wind shift caused the basket to lurch forward, ejecting five passengers before it bounced along the ground.
- Emergency services deployed 14 ambulances and two helicopters, and rescuers were unable to revive one victim while at least five others received hospital treatment.
- Two of the injured are believed to be in serious condition after suffering fractures and other injuries.
- Dutch aviation police have launched a formal investigation, examining weather data, passenger load procedures and the pilot’s extensive flight record.