A British tourist who embarked on a hot air balloon adventure in Morocco has exposed the potentially dangerous realities behind the picturesque activity, issuing a stark warning to fellow travellers considering the experience.
The Bucket List Experience That Turned Bumpy
Ruben Chorlton-Owen was exploring North Africa when he decided to tick off the hot air balloon ride from his travel bucket list, paying approximately £170 for what he anticipated would be a serene aerial excursion. Sharing his journey through video content on Instagram with his 92,000 followers, Ruben initially described feeling nervous about the unknown elements rather than the height itself.
'Once we were actually in the air, it was surprisingly smooth and almost like leaning on a decking or standing on something stable,' Ruben told the Daily Mail. 'The views were incredible and I did end up really enjoying it once we were up there, especially the sunrise.'
Cramped Conditions and Missing Safety Measures
The experience began with unexpected crowding as approximately 22 passengers stood together in a single basket, with the pilot noting capacity could reach 24 individuals. Ruben highlighted the absence of basic safety equipment like parachutes, leaving passengers simply holding on in what he described as a fairly cramped and uncomfortable arrangement.
'You don’t have parachutes or anything like that - you’re simply stood in the basket holding on, which feels quite strange at first,' he explained.
The Violent Landing That Shocked Everyone
The most alarming revelation came during descent, with Ruben reporting that around nine times out of ten landings involve harsh impacts rather than gentle touchdowns. His own experience involved the basket slamming into the ground three times before tipping over completely.
'A lady next to me hit her head, so did my partner, and I hurt my back slightly,' Ruben recounted. 'Everyone was very shocked and quiet. We had to climb out.'
He expressed surprise that no passengers fell over the basket's edge during the violent tipping motion, noting the landing intensity contrasted sharply with the calm aerial experience.
A Cautious Recommendation With Qualifications
Despite the traumatic landing, Ruben maintained the overall experience remained worthwhile, though he emphasized crucial precautions for future participants.
'I’d recommend doing it but only with licensed pilots and insured companies,' he advised, suggesting travellers should be properly warned about the potential for rough landings compared to the peaceful flight itself.
Global Context of Hot Air Balloon Incidents
This warning emerges against a backdrop of serious hot air balloon accidents worldwide. Last year in Brazil, a 27-year-old pregnant woman named Juliana Alves died when an illegally operated balloon crashed near Boituva, injuring 11 of the more than 30 people onboard.
Another Brazilian tragedy occurred in Santa Catarina's Praia Grande region, where eight people perished after a hot air balloon caught fire and plummeted from the sky, though thirteen individuals managed to jump to safety.
These incidents collectively underscore the importance of rigorous safety standards and proper passenger awareness in adventure tourism activities that attract thousands of travellers annually seeking unique experiences.
