Two cigarette-smuggling balloons explode after hitting power lines in Lithuania

Two balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes exploded after striking power lines in central Lithuania on Wednesday, the Kaunas Fire and Rescue Service said Thursday.

Firefighters were called to Padotnuvys village in Kėdainiai district at about 06:00 after receiving a report of something burning on Draugystės Street, possibly an exploded streetlight.

When crews arrived, they found that a smuggling balloon had struck power lines and exploded. Fragments of the balloon were burning along the roadside.

Later Wednesday, at about 23:00, firefighters were called to Šakniai village in Kaišiadorys district after residents reported hearing an explosion and seeing something burning in a field.

Firefighters found that a balloon carrying smuggled cigarettes had hit power lines and caught fire.