Dubai Police have confirmed that there were no fatalities in a hot-air balloon incident that occurred on March 23 in the Emirate, countering earlier social media reports that claimed otherwise.
In an official statement to The National, the Dubai Media Office said that “all injuries resulting from the incident were classified as minor to moderate, and those affected received immediate medical attention.” Authorities added that the individuals involved were of various nationalities.
The clarification follows the circulation of viral footage on Friday, showing a Russian tourist and her mother on a balloon ride over the desert, accompanied by online claims of two deaths.
Dubai Police have since debunked the false reports, confirming that no lives were lost in the incident. The police attributed the cause of the incident to deteriorating weather conditions during landing, based on preliminary findings.
“A comprehensive official investigation is under way,” authorities said.
In the meantime, the public and media outlets have been urged to refrain from sharing unverified information and instead rely on official sources to avoid unnecessary panic and misinformation.
The swift medical response and ongoing investigation underscore the Emirate’s commitment to safety and transparency in addressing incidents involving public activities and tourism.
