SHARJAH // Six people were severely injured after their hot air balloon crashed in Sharjah.
Police have launched an investigation after five tourists and the balloon captain sustained severe and moderate injuries when the balloon fell to the ground near Mleiha area on Saturday.
Police were notified about the incident at 9am and sent emergency crews and police to the area.
The tourists were taken to Al Qassimi Hospital, while the captain was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital because of the severity of his injuries.
Sharjah Police said the tourists were from European and Asian countries.
Lt Col Ahmed bin Darwish, director of Sharjah Central Region Police, said the investigation was under way and it was too early to know what caused the crash.
“However, wind speed or mechanical failure may be the cause of the incident,” he said.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
