What was supposed to be a fun day at a youth soccer tournament turned into every parent’s worst nightmare after a bounce house suddenly flew into the air in Belgium, killing a 7-year-old boy and injuring several other children.
Young Jean Kylian Essombe had been attending the tournament on Saturday to cheer on his younger brother when disaster struck. Witnesses say a powerful gust of wind suddenly lifted the inflatable bounce house off the ground while multiple children were inside.
The inflatable reportedly slammed into a nearby pole before the children were violently thrown from it. Jean suffered catastrophic injuries after being hurled into a fence and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Tragically, he later died from his injuries.
Three other children were also hospitalized with minor injuries.
The horrifying accident happened around 2 p.m. during a soccer event being held at the facilities of local Belgian club VW Hamme. Jean, who played on SK Wambeek-Ternat’s under-eight team, had simply been there supporting his little brother when the deadly incident unfolded.
“It was a tragic accident,” said club chairman Jos Donvil. “From what I have heard, the bounce house reportedly hit a pole due to a gust of wind.”
Authorities are now investigating whether the inflatable was properly secured and whether organizers followed safety regulations before allowing children inside.
The heartbreaking death has sent shockwaves through the local community, especially among the young boy’s teammates and coaches.
In an emotional tribute posted online, Jean’s soccer club described him as “a wonderful friend” who was always smiling and full of energy.
“Jean was not only a talented player, but above all a wonderful friend, always full of enthusiasm and with a smile on his face,” the club wrote. “We will never forget the joy he shared.”
The club also offered condolences to Jean’s devastated parents, his younger brother Louis, and the rest of the family.
VW Hamme, the club hosting the tournament, said the entire event had been “completely overshadowed by a tragic accident” and confirmed all club activities and training sessions would be canceled for the upcoming week.
The tragedy is already drawing comparisons to other horrifying bounce house accidents in recent years, including several cases in the United States where inflatables were lifted into the air by sudden winds.
Police and prosecutors continue to investigate exactly what went wrong.
😢💔🙏