Husband, 50, and wife, 39, posed for a final family photo before burning to death when a hot air balloon burst into flames over historic ruins near Mexico City – and their daughter was rushed to hospital with broken bones
- Jose Nolasco and Viridiana Becerril died after the balloon caught fire Saturday
- Their daughter Regina Itzan is in hospital with burns but is expected to survive
- She is believed to have suffered a broken arm after jumping from the balloon
A married couple died and their daughter was injured after a hot air balloon they were riding in caught fire – moments after they posed for a final family photo in front of the then-downed aircraft.
The accident took place in Mexico City Saturday, and claimed the lives of two victims, Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39, Mexican authorities have since confirmed.
Video posted to social media by horrified onlookers shows the incident – with the balloon seen descending rapidly as it burst into flames. The chilling footage also show occupants appearing to either fall or jump from the craft, to onlookers’ dismay.
The pair’s daughter, identified as Regina Itzani, was also on the balloon, cops said, but is expected to survive. She is thought to have jumped from the craft, sustaining a broken arm and second-degree burns.
Her age was not immediately clear. Some surfacing reports suggest she was 13, while some posts on social media indicate she was 23.
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The accident took place in Mexico City Saturday, and claimed the lives of two victims, Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39. The pair’s daughter, Regina Itzani (seen ehre), was also on the balloon, but is expected to survive
Video posted to social media by horrified onlookers shows the balloon descending rapidly as it burst into flames. It shows occupants appearing to either fall or jump from the craft
Yesterday, a selfie photo of the family taken moments before the hot air balloon burst into flames was circulating on social media as it emerged the ride was a surprise birthday present Regina and her dad had organized for Viridiana.
Reyna Gloria Sarmiento, Regina’s grandmother, told local press the teenager had yet to be told her parents had died.
She added: ‘It was the birthday of my daughter Viridiana, Regina’s mom, and they had prepared this ride as as a surprise for her.’
Saying her granddaughter was ‘conscious’ and stable in hospital, Gloria also revealed she had hugged her parents before jumping out of the hot air balloon.
Footage of the tragedy taken by an onlooker showed the hot air balloon deflating as flames engulfed the basket below where the Mexican family were enjoying their ride.
The onlooker could be overheard saying in Spanish: ‘My God, people are falling’ as a person plummeted to the ground.
It was not immediately clear if that person was Regina, or the pilot of the hot air balloon who is said to have been the second person who jumped out of the basket as it was engulfed by flames. His whereabouts today/yesterday was believed to be still unknown.
An investigation into the tragedy is ongoing. Initial local reports said it could be linked to a fault in the fuel storage system.
Town hall officials in Caujimalpa de Morelos west of Mexico City where the family came from, said in a statement: ‘We send our condolences to the family, friends and acquaintances of Jose Nolasco and Viridiana Becerril who died in the hot air balloon tragedy in Teotihuacan.
‘Our solidarity and prayers are with Regina and we wish her a speedy recovery.’
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