A hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught fire and crashed in central Texas on Saturday, federal officials said, and local authorities said it does not appear that there were any survivors.

Lynn Lunsford, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said in a statement that the balloon crashed into a pasture near Lockhart, about 30 miles south of Austin, after catching fire in the air. The accident occurred shortly after 7:40 a.m. local time, he said.

In a brief telephone interview, Mr. Lunsford said that officials were on their way to the site, and that the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. The N.T.S.B. will be in charge of the investigation.

The names of the pilots and passengers and their relation to each other were not released. Mr. Lunsford said he did not know what had led up to the crash or if there had been a distress call.
The Caldwell County sheriff, Daniel Law, said in a statement that “it does not appear at this time that there were any survivors.”

The statement said that a call came in to the local law enforcement authorities about 7:44 a.m. reporting a possible vehicle accident. When they arrived at the site, it appeared there had been a fire in the basket portion of the balloon.

The authorities were trying to determine the number of people who were on board and their identities.

Chris O’Neil, an N.T.S.B. spokesman, said that investigators were expected to remain on the scene for a few days. Seven to 10 days after the field work is completed, he said, they will release a preliminary report on the accident.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement extending his condolences, calling the accident a “heartbreaking tragedy.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, as well as the Lockhart community,” he said. “The investigation into the cause of this tragic accident will continue, and I ask all of Texas to join us in praying for those lost.”

Source: New York Times, 30 July 2016