A 50-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman have been killed and a girl injured after a hot air balloon crash in Mexico City

A couple died and their daughter was injured after a hot air balloon they were riding in caught fire – a horrific incident that was preceded by a heartbreaking photo of the family posing for a final photo in front of the plane.

The accident happened in Mexico City on Saturday and claimed the lives of two victims, Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39, Mexican authorities confirmed.

A video posted to social media by horrified onlookers shows the balloon rapidly descending as it bursts into flames. It shows occupants either falling or appearing to jump out of the vehicle.

The couple’s daughter, identified as Regina Itzani, was also in the balloon but is expected to survive. She is believed to have jumped from the vehicle, with local police confirming on Saturday that she withstood broken arm and second degree burns.

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The accident happened in Mexico City on Saturday and claimed the lives of two victims, Jose Nolasco, 50, and his wife Viridiana Becerril, 39. The couple’s daughter Regina Itzani (seen here) was also in the balloon but will expected survival

A video posted to social media by horrified onlookers shows the balloon rapidly descending as it bursts into flames. It shows inmates either falling or appearing to jump out of the boat

Yesterday, a selfie photo of the family just before the hot air balloon burst into flames circulated on social media as the ride turned out to be a surprise birthday present organized for Viridiana by Regina and her father.

Reyna Gloria Sarmiento, Regina’s grandmother, told local press the teenager had not yet learned her parents had died.

She added, “It was my daughter Viridiana’s birthday, Regina’s mother, and they had prepared this ride for her as a surprise.”

Gloria said her granddaughter was “conscious” and stable in hospital and also revealed that she hugged her parents before jumping out of the hot air balloon.

Footage of the tragedy, captured by a bystander, showed the hot air balloon deflating as flames engulfed the basket below, in which the Mexican family was enjoying their ride.

The viewer could be heard saying in Spanish, “My god, people are falling,” as one person fell to the ground.

It wasn’t immediately clear if that person was Regina or the hot air balloon pilot who is said to have been the second person to jump out of the flame- engulfed basket. His whereabouts today/yesterday were still unknown.

An investigation into the tragedy is underway. Initial local reports said it could be related to a fault in the fuel storage system.

City officials in Caujimalpa de Morelos, west of Mexico City, where the family is from, said in a statement: “We extend our condolences to the family, friends and acquaintances of Jose Nolasco and Viridiana Becerril who died in the Teotihuacan hot air balloon tragedy died.

“Our solidarity and prayers are with Regina and we wish her a speedy recovery.”