"Lanterns of good luck" to be regulated

The flying of Chinese lanterns - called "lanterns of good luck" in Slovakia - will most probably be regulated, as mayors of the eight regional capitals at a recent meeting in Nitra agreed on drawing up legislation to that effect. " We want to prevent a disaster," said Zilina mayor Igor Choma. According to him, the lanterns of good luck are largely viewed positively by the public, but fire-fighters, police and staff at airports are far less happy about them. For example, pilots warn that an engine of an aircraft flying at lower altitudes can even be downed if it sucks in a sky lantern. "One thing is that the lanterns are beautiful and mainly children like them a lot. Nevertheless, real troubles emerge when they begin burning out and going down, landing - often still burning - on trees, houses, cars and historical buildings," said Choma. A sky lantern that landed on the terrace of an apartment block in Nitra a few days ago caused a fire resulting in damages of at least €10,000.