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19 Killed in balloon crash near Luxor

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A hot air balloon has crashed near the Egyptian city of Luxor, killing 19 tourists. British, French, Hong Kong and Japanese nationals were among those who died when the balloon caught fire and exploded at 1,000 ft. (300m).

Witnesses stated that they saw people jumping out of the balloon, “from about the height of a seven-storey building” as it plunged onto fields west of Luxor. It’s been reported that two people survived the crash; including the balloon’s pilot.

The crash occurred during one of many hot air balloon flights which take place at dawn. The flights give tourists an aerial view of Karnak temple and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings which are Luxor’s, most famous sites. It’s the home of Egypt’s most famous pharaonic-era ruins and lies on the banks of the River Nile.

According to reports on other news sites, a gas cylinder exploded on board the balloon which brought it down in an agricultural area just outside Luxor.

A witness to the accident, US photographer Christopher Michel said his balloon was just about to land when he “heard an explosion and saw smoke”.

And Cherry Tohamy whose balloon was landing when she heard an explosion said she saw flames from a balloon above them, she stated to reporters: “Our pilot told us that the balloon had hit a high pressure electrical cable and a cylinder on board exploded. People were jumping out of the balloon from about the height of a seven-storey building.”

It was quoted on NBC News by a Luxor health official that the victims include nine from Hong Kong, four from Japan, two from the United Kingdom and two from France, there are also two who have yet to be identified.

According to the BBC the British foreign office is making urgent inquiries with its colleagues in Egypt to confirm reports of British casualties.

Image courtesy of  alh1


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