Skydivers from 42 countries set mass free-fall record in Bangko

BANGKOK, Thailand -- In a world record for a mass jump, 672 skydivers from 42 countries leaped from six aircraft over the Thai capital on Saturday, organizers said. At least three jumpers were injured upon landing.

The previous mark of 588 skydivers was set in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in 2000, according an organizer of the event, Herman Landsman, and the Guinness World Records Web site.

Wind blew several skydivers off the landing zone near Bangkok's Grand Palace, and reporters saw at least three jumpers taken to a hospital with injuries. None was believed life-threatening.

The divers leapt out of six C-130 military transport planes at 7,000 feet. Several landed in trees and one hit the roof of a university building.

A spokeswoman for the group, Karina Willerup, said the skydivers came from 42 nations and included 250 parachutists from the Thai armed forces.

The jump has been recognized as a world record by the Paris-based World Air Sports Federation, which tracks skydiving feats, and organizers are planning to seek approval from the Guinness Book of Records, Willerup said.