Ohio's 1986 Balloon Disaster

The 1986 "Balloon" story is a remarkable true account set during the Cold War, involving two families who attempted to escape from East Germany to West Germany using a homemade hot air balloon. This escape attempt took place under the constant surveillance and oppression of the East German State Security Service, the Stasi.

The families spent several months secretly constructing the balloon. Their first attempt was unsuccessful, but they did not give up. During their subsequent attempt, they successfully flew across the heavily guarded border and reached safety in West Germany. This event became widely known and symbolized the courage and ingenuity of those trying to escape from behind the Iron Curtain.

The story has inspired various film adaptations, including the 2018 German film "Ballon," which vividly portrays this dramatic and thrilling escape. The film accurately depicts the historical events and the families' determination to flee the oppressive East German regime.