CAIRO: At least 19 tourists were killed when a hot air balloon crashed near the Egypt’s ancient temple city of Luxor on Tuesday, a spokesman for companies that operate balloon flights in the area said.
The incident took place when a balloon carrying 21 people, including 20 pasengers and a baloon pilot, was flying at 300 metres (1,000 feet) over Qurna, in Luxor’s West Bank, when it caught fire before exploding.
One tourist and the balloon’s pilot survived the crash and they were taken to the nearby hospital.
The tourists were from a variety of countries including Japan, Hongkong, France, Britain and Egypt, said spokesman Ahmed Aboud.
“There were 20 passengers aboard. An explosion happened and 19 passengers died. One tourist and the pilot survived,” said Aboud.
DND
