Seven people were injured, three of them seriously, after a hot air balloon caught fire during takeoff in the canton of Zug in northern Switzerland on Saturday, according to AFP.

The balloon had just taken off from Mattenboden in the municipality of Günenberg when it caught fire and fell to the ground from a low height, police said in a statement.

Four women and three men aged 28 to 62 were injured. Two women and a man are in serious condition after the accident, the causes of which are still unknown. The other four passengers received minor injuries.

Local firefighters managed to quickly extinguish the fire and protect the scene.

The injured were taken to the hospital by ambulance and private individuals.

The Swiss Security Service (SESE) is investigating. Federal prosecutors are responsible for any prosecution because the accident falls under the Federal Aviation Act. (Source: News.ro / Photo: Dreamstime.com)