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Egypt balloon crash hurts Britons | Egypt balloon crash hurts Britons |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Two British women were among 13 foreign tourists to be injured when a hot air balloon crashed in Egypt, the UK Foreign Office has confirmed. | |
Three Egyptian operators were hurt when the balloon came down during a tour of the ancient city of Luxor. It is said to have hit a mobile phone mast. | Three Egyptian operators were hurt when the balloon came down during a tour of the ancient city of Luxor. It is said to have hit a mobile phone mast. |
Several people were taken to hospital with minor injuries but have since been released, the governor of Luxor said. | Several people were taken to hospital with minor injuries but have since been released, the governor of Luxor said. |
It is the latest of several incidents involving balloons in Egypt recently. | It is the latest of several incidents involving balloons in Egypt recently. |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Two Britons were confirmed injured. | A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Two Britons were confirmed injured. |
"Their next of kin have been informed and we are providing consular assistance." | "Their next of kin have been informed and we are providing consular assistance." |
Ballooning over the temple at Luxor has become popular among tourists | Ballooning over the temple at Luxor has become popular among tourists |
BBC correspondent Christian Fraser said he understood the balloon hit the communications tower on the west bank of the Nile, near the village of Gourna. | BBC correspondent Christian Fraser said he understood the balloon hit the communications tower on the west bank of the Nile, near the village of Gourna. |
There were eight French tourists on board, along with the two Britons, a Canadian, a Dane and a Korean. | There were eight French tourists on board, along with the two Britons, a Canadian, a Dane and a Korean. |
A fortnight ago seven tourists were injured in a similar crash. | A fortnight ago seven tourists were injured in a similar crash. |
In late February, three hot air balloons carrying 60 tourists crashed on the same day in separate locations. Seven passengers suffered injuries including broken bones. | In late February, three hot air balloons carrying 60 tourists crashed on the same day in separate locations. Seven passengers suffered injuries including broken bones. |
Mr Fraser said: "The problem appears to be the number of balloon companies that are working in the area - all of them competing on price. | Mr Fraser said: "The problem appears to be the number of balloon companies that are working in the area - all of them competing on price. |
"So far there have been no deaths but in the past the government has been forced to ground the balloons while it investigates safety." | "So far there have been no deaths but in the past the government has been forced to ground the balloons while it investigates safety." |
Debbie el Shobrakitty, who runs The Lantern restaurant in Luxor, told reporters that balloon trips were very popular with British visitors to the city. | |
Mrs el Shobrakitty, who is originally from Suffolk but moved to Egypt 22 years ago, said: "There have been one or two minor accidents in the past but on the whole they are very safe and are run by reputable companies." |