Hot air balloon crash landing at Rann Utsav, injured tourist asks police to stop ‘unsafe’ operation of balloons(Video)

In the video you can watch the tourists who received injuries. You can also watch one lady tourist asking the district police chief to stop the operations of hot air balloons until safety measures are ensured. One gentleman tells media person from hospital bed that each person pays Rs 4,000 for balloon ride. He said that that six extra persons were boarded in the balloon. However district police chief in his talk to media persons later clarified that the balloon in question was actually for 16 people. The district police chief also gave official version of the story.

Bhuj, 1 January 2012

A hot air balloon today crashed while landing at Dhordo tent city in Kutch. The accident happened at around 8.00 in the morning on Sunday and caused minor injuries to 10 tourists, including some ladies.

When contacted, district Collector M.Thennarasan told DeshGujarat that the incident happened at the time of landing of one of the balloons in the morning at around 8.00. He said the tourists faced minor injuries and were given medical treatment.

According to sources, the balloon crashed while landing due to over weight.

Some of those injured are taken to a hospital in Bhuj for further treatment.

It should be mentioned here that Gujarat’s Kutch district is witnessing a 38-day long Rann Utsav near Dhordo village just next to the white rann of Kutch. Gujarat Tourism has introduced hot air balloon ride this year during the Rann utsav. There are total nine balloons active here, operated by Delhi based Tiger Balloon Safaris.

All 9 Hot Air Balloons during Rann Utsav 2011