A couple enjoying a walk in the Appenzell countryside had a surprising sight on Saturday afternoon in Gonten, Switzerland. Across a hillside, they witnessed the gondola of a hot air balloon tilt to the side, with the deflated canopy eventually enveloping the roof of a barn.
“At first, we thought, ‘Look, a balloon is landing nearby,’” a witness told 20 Minuten. “But suddenly, the balloon began to wobble and eventually tipped over onto a roof.” Shortly after, several people rushed to help, including searching for a ladder to access the roof. The entire incident unfolded over approximately half an hour, according to the witness.
Pilot Attempted to Reposition
Police reported that more than ten individuals were aboard the balloon. The pilot had intended to land in a nearby meadow just before noon. Due to the extremely wet ground conditions, the pilot decided to maneuver the aircraft toward the road. Passengers who had already disembarked assisted by briefly lifting and pushing the balloon in the direction of the roadway. A sudden gust of wind then caused the gondola to tip over once the balloon reached the road, resulting in the envelope partially landing on the roof of a neighboring farm’s barn.
Initial reports indicate no injuries were sustained and no property damage occurred. The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining control of lighter-than-air vehicles in unpredictable weather conditions, a factor increasingly relevant as adventure tourism expands.
Karin Leuthold (kle), born in 1968, has worked at 20 Minuten since 2005 and primarily covers criminal cases around the world.
Would you dare to ride in a hot air balloon, or have you already done so?
