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Couple dies after hot air balloon bursts into flames mid-air as daughter, 13, jumps for life

Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39, burnt to death after the hot air balloon caught fire

SAN JUAN TEOTIHUACAN, MEXICO: A married couple died in a horrific hot air balloon accident in Mexico on Saturday, April 1. Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39, burned to death after the basket caught fire at and burst into flames mid-air. The pair's 13-year-old daughter managed to escape by jumping out of the basket. Regina Itzani is currently hospitalized with a broken arm and second-degree burns but is expected to survive. 

A final selfie of the family taken moments before the tragedy, which took place at the famous Teotihuacan archaeological site in Mexico, has been circulating online where they can be seen smiling at the hot air balloon before their ride. Speaking to the local press, Reyna Gloria Sarmiento, Regina’s grandmother, said that the teenager was yet to be told her parents had died. “It was the birthday of my daughter Viridiana, Regina’s mother, and they had prepared this ride as a surprise for her," she added, reports The Sun. Sarmiento confirmed that Regina is "conscious" and stable at the hospital. She also revealed that her granddaughter had hugged her parents before jumping out of the hot air balloon. 

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'People are falling'

The footage shows the hot air balloon deflating as flames completely destroying the basket. The short clip also shows a person jumping out of the burning basket, while a bystander can be heard in the background saying, "My God, people are falling." It is not clear if the person is Regina or the pilot of the hot air balloon that is said to have jumped after the teen escaped. It is not known where he is at the moment.

Investigation is ongoing

The cops are currently investigating the case. Initial local reports said that the accident likely took place due to a fault in the fuel storage system. In a statement, Town hall officials in Caujimalpa de Morelos west of Mexico City where the family came from, said, “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.”