Boy, seven, is killed when bouncy castle is blown into the air by sudden gust of wind in Belgium

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 09:50, 11 May 2026 | Updated: 09:51, 11 May 2026 A seven-year-old boy has tragically died after a gust of wind lifted a bouncy castle high into the air.  The tragedy happened at the Youth Cup football tournament in Hamme, a municipality in East Flanders, Belgium, on May 9.   Jean Kylian Essombe was playing on the inflatable attraction with his friends when it was blown into the air by a sudden wind gust. The young boy reportedly fell against a fence and suffered life-threatening injuries. Emergency crews treated him at the scene before he was taken first to AZ Sint-Blasius hospital and then to UZ Gent hospital. He later died from his injuries while under medical care. Three other children were also injured and were taken to hospital for checks. Local reports said Jean had been at the tournament to support his brother Louis, who was playing for SK Wambeek-Ternat's U10 team. East Flanders prosecutors have opened an investigation into how the accident happened. Officials are reportedly examining whether the bouncy castle had been properly anchored and whether safety rules were followed and a court-appointed expert was sent to the scene.   Jean Kylian Essombe (pictured) was playing on the inflatable attraction with his friends when it was blown into the air by a sudden wind gust The young boy reportedly fell against a fence and suffered life-threatening injuries Jean's primary school in Liedekerke said its staff and pupils were mourning the young boy's death, adding that support had been arranged.  The school said: 'Within our school, this loss is deeply felt. Teachers will make room for conversation and processing. 'In these difficult moments, we want as a school to focus on connection, care and closeness.' SK Wambeek-Ternat said in a tribute: 'With deep sadness, we learned the news about Jean. It is hard to comprehend that someone so young and full of life has left us. 'Jeanke was not only a talented player, but above all a wonderful friend, always full of enthusiasm and with a smile on his face. We will never forget the joy he shared. Our thoughts are with his parents, his brother Louis, his family and friends at this difficult time.' VW Hamme, which hosted the tournament, said the tragedy had overshadowed what should have been a major day for the club. The club said: 'Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and team of our friend who fought so hard.' Peter De Vylder, general manager of the VW Hamme football club, said emergency services were already present at the event and parents with medical backgrounds also helped immediately. He said: 'You hope as a club that something like this never happens to you. VW Hamme has suspended all youth activities for the coming week. KFC Wambeek-Ternat, which has around 600 players, also cancelled club activities over the weekend as it organised support for children, parents, trainers and Jean's family. Club chairman Jos Donvil said: 'It was a tragic accident. We now have only one task, and that is to give the right support to the parents, trainers and family.' He added: 'His brother, who also plays with us, has lost his playmate.' Hamme mayor Lotte Peeters said that other children on the bouncy castle had gone to hospital with their parents for minor injuries. The Youth Cup matches continued on Sunday in a subdued atmosphere, with players wearing black armbands and a minute's silence held in Jean's memory. Football Flanders said it was offering psychological support to the clubs involved through trauma specialists. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.