English Section

Woman dies after hot air balloon crashes in Zielona Góra, police say

09.03.2026 13:30
A 28-year-old woman died on Monday after falling from a hot air balloon basket when the aircraft struck a residential building and began descending over central Zielona Góra, police said.
At around 8 a.m., while above the city center, the balloon struck a block of apartments near Chrobrego Street and started to descend. The woman likely fell from the basket at that point onto a nearby rooftop.
At around 8 a.m., while above the city center, the balloon struck a block of apartments near Chrobrego Street and started to descend. The woman likely fell from the basket at that point onto a nearby rooftop.PAP/Lech Muszyński

Two other women in the basket were not seriously injured and got out on their own after the balloon came down in the street, police spokesperson Małgorzata Stanisławska said.

“As a result of the accident, a 28-year-old woman died after falling from the basket onto the roof of one of the buildings. Unfortunately, despite resuscitation efforts, she could not be saved,” Stanisławska told Polish Press Agency (PAP).

She said the woman was a member of the Lubusz Land Aeroclub and an experienced balloon pilot.

Police said preliminary findings showed the balloon took off from Zielona Góra’s Zatonie district at about 6 a.m. At around 8 a.m., while above the city center, it struck a block of apartments near Chrobrego Street and started to descend. The woman likely fell from the basket at that point onto a nearby rooftop.

Stansławska said inspections and other procedural steps were still under way. Poland’s State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation will also examine the cause of the crash.

(jh)

Source: PAP