PANJIM: Reacting to the recent incidents of hot air balloons suddenly landing in open areas creating panic among the locals, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has clarified that these incidents were not crashes but safe landings and has appealed to the people not to panic.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, GTDC general manager Gavin Dias has alleged that rumours are being spread on hot air balloon crashes in order to create panic and paralyse the government’s successful adventure initiative.
It may be recalled that within a week, two hot air balloons made emergency landing in open spaces – one at Panchwadi in Shiroda and the other at Raia. On both occasions, the balloons were carrying tourists.
“The GTDC has appealed to people not to panic over the landing of hot air balloons in open spaces as its service provider is conducting longer rides resulting in landing of the balloons at new sites,” the press statement reads.
Following the second incident of the hot air balloon landing at new site in Raia, on Saturday, GTDC has taken stock of the situation and has reassured that the hot air balloon rides are being conducted and landings are taking place as per the required procedures without endangering passengers or property.
“In both cases where the hot air balloons landed at new open spaces in South Goa, routine landing procedures have been followed and no negative feedback has been received from the passengers on board. During the last two years of this service in Goa no untoward incident has ever occurred and every flight landing has been safe and successful,” Dias said.
