A major tragedy was averted here when a hot air balloon caught fire while taking off during trial due to alleged recklessness of the organisers of the two-day Tehri Adventure Tourism Festival shortly before start of the event, a senior official said today.
The hot air baloon caught fire during take off trial yesterday in an open field close to the festival venue, Tehri District Magistrate Yugal Kishore Pant said.
After remaining afloat in the air for some time, the balloon in flames fell into the Tehri lake, he said adding one person received minor burn injuries in the incident.
There were rafters in the lake when the hot air balloon, worth Rs 10 lakh, fell into it, the official said.
It is being said that the hot air balloon caught fire as it was launched by mistake amid windy conditions whereas it should have been launched in a zero-wind zone.
The DM who attributed the incident to technical reasons, said an inquiry will soon be ordered into the matter.
