This is the horrifying moment a hot air balloon caught fire at a festival in Mexico.

The operator of the balloon reportedly jumped from the burning vessel to his death after becoming trapped in the basket during the first Hot Air Balloon Festival in General Enrique Estrada, Zacatecas.

Footage shows the aircraft engulfed in flames mid-air on May 11.

This prompted the operator to leap to escape the flames.

Eyewitnesses said the man plunged to the ground as the basket was engulfed in fire.

In another clip, the inflated checkered balloon design can be seen crashing in a residential area.

Local authorities later confirmed that the victim died from injuries sustained in the fall.

Event organisers said that the balloon involved was privately operated and had passed safety checks before the flight.

Rodrigo Reyes Muguerza, the Secretary of Government of Zacatecas, said: 'We urge all municipal authorities to strengthen their verification mechanisms to avoid these types of risks during their activities and festivities.'

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.