Five people suffered burns as a hot-air balloon exploded at an international festival in Tuyen Quang Province in northern Vietnam on Saturday.

The incident happed at some 7:00 pm at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang.

A Japanese pilot suffered burns on his hands when he was bumping hot air into the balloon before performing a ride but the wind prompted the hot-air balloon to flare up and cause a fire.

Four others were also slightly burned while trying to extinguish the fire.

The five victims were later rushed to a hospital for treatment and are now in a stable condition.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

In particular, the large hot-air balloon burst into flames accompanied by a blast, frightening many people.

The hot-air balloon was used in the second International Hot-Air Balloon Festival in Tuyen Quang. The festival was kicked off on Friday and will last until next Tuesday.

It takes place at two venues, namely Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang City and Na Tong Stadium in Lam Binh District.

The event attracted 20 hot-air balloons meeting international standards from many countries and territories.

The hot-air balloons are controlled by experienced pilots from France, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, Slovakia, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Visitors can see the beautiful Tuyen Quang City and Lam Binh District from above when participating in the largest-ever hot-air balloon festival in Vietnam.

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