During Mexico’s National Pyrotechnics Festival, a model of a bull was burned as part of the festivities. The event, which takes place in Tultepec just north of Mexico City, attracts around 100,000 revelers annually. The festival lasts for seven days, with the main event occurring on March 8th.
In recent years, laser incidents targeting aircraft have been on the rise in many countries. A video posted on TikTok showed numerous people shining laser pointers at a passenger jet flying overhead during the festival in Mexico. The video went viral and sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning the legality and safety of such acts.
The incident occurred on March 7th during the festival’s final night when two green laser beams were pointed at the plane flying over the festival grounds. As the plane continued its approach to Felipe Ángeles International Airport, more people joined in on the act, shining laser pointers at the jet. A drone footage also showed how the aircraft was nearly obscured by dozens of lasers being pointed at it from below.
Shining lasers at aircraft is illegal in most countries and punishable by law. In the United States, individuals could face up to five years in prison for this offense if caught targeting an aircraft or helicopter while flying through US airspace. According to reports by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were over 13,000 incidents reported last year alone where people aimed their lasers towards planes or helicopters while they were flying above US soil. This number has increased significantly from previous years due to growing awareness about these dangers and stricter enforcement measures put in place by law enforcement agencies across different states.
In one such case involving Delta Air Lines jet near Buffalo New York man was charged with pointing a laser pointer towards it leading to potential charges of five years imprisonment and $250k fine if found guilty.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that pointing lasers at planes can be extremely dangerous and may result in serious consequences for both those involved and innocent passengers on board these flights.
It is important for individuals who are attending festivals like this one to understand that pointing lasers towards aircraft is not only illegal but also extremely hazardous and should never be done under any circumstances whatsoever. Law enforcement agencies will continue to work closely with air traffic control authorities to ensure that such incidents do not occur again in future festivals or events held across different states.