Mishap at Albuquerque's Balloon Festival Leaves 13K Powerless

One of the balloons at Albuquerque hot-air balloon fiesta bumped into a power line
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 8, 2024 1:00 AM CDT
Mishap at Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta Leaves 13K Without Power
Spectators watch as hot air balloons take off during the mass ascension at the 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.   (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

A hot-air balloon bumped into a power line in northeast Albuquerque on Monday, leaving nearly 13,000 customers of a major electric utility without power for nearly an hour, authorities said. Monday marked the third day of the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the AP reports. The state's largest electricity provider, Public Service Company of New Mexico, said the incident occurred at 8:35am and affected 12,730 customers.

Fiesta spokesman Tom Garrity said the pilot was the only person aboard and landed the balloon safely and wasn't hurt. The man's name wasn't released and there was no immediate word on what caused the incident. The balloon fiesta is one of the most photographed events in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators each fall to New Mexico to see more than 100 balloons in bright colors and special shapes soaring aloft.

(More hot air balloon stories.)

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