Harrowing footage captures moment man falls to his death from hot air balloon

Shocking footage has captured the harrowing moment a man plunged to his death after clinging to the bottom of a burning hot air balloon.

The tragedy unfolded in Zacatecas, Mexico, on Sunday during the First Balloon Festival, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, the Secretary General of Zacatecas, confirmed online. Horrifying footage showed flames consuming the lower half of the balloon mid-flight, with thick black smoke pouring into the sky. As the fire intensifies, a lone figure is seen dangling desperately from a rope beneath the blaze, before falling. Mugüerza said a participant had "lost his life" after an "unfortunate incident" while on board a hot air balloon.

"Immediately, authorities rushed to the scene to provide care and support to the affected people," Mugüerza said in a statement posted to social media. "We have requested the State Prosecutor's Office to carry out the relevant investigations to clarify the facts and disclose responsibilities. We urge all municipal authorities to strengthen their verification mechanisms to avoid such risks during the development of their activities and festivities."

The man, identified only as a 40-year-old Luicio N, according to local news outlet Riviera Maya News, died from his injuries. He is believed to have been inside the balloon with two other people when the fire broke out while the group were still on the ground.

Luicio reportedly helped the other two passengers escape but got stuck in the rope while the balloon started to move. He was then lifted into the air and clung onto the rope several feet below the fire before the fatal drop. The horrifying clip went viral on social media, with many viewers rushing to comment on the tragic incident.

"This man is a hero. That being said. I don't go in hot air balloons for a reason," one person said. "Heartbreaking. His final act was one of courage and sacrifice. May he rest in peace," another wrote.

"What a tragic and heroic story. Luicio’s final act of selflessness, trying to save others while facing his own peril, speaks volumes about the strength of the human spirit. RIP to him. His courage will not be forgotten," a third added.

While hot air ballooning carries certain risks, fatal accidents remain extremely rare. According to data from Gitnux, the mortality rate is less than 0.01% per flight, with only around 1 to 2 accidents per 100,000 journeys - making it statistically safer than many other forms of aviation.