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Egypt: Balloon crashes near Luxor killing 18 tourists Egypt: Balloon crashes near Luxor killing 19 tourists
(about 2 hours later)
British, French, Hong Kong and Japanese nationals are among at least 18 tourists killed in a hot air balloon crash near the Egyptian city of Luxor. British, French, Hungarian, Hong Kong and Japanese nationals are among 19 tourists killed in a hot air balloon crash near the Egyptian city of Luxor.
The balloon was at 1,000 ft (300m) when it caught fire and plunged onto fields west of Luxor, officials said. The balloon was at 1,000ft (300m) when it caught fire and plunged into fields west of the ancient city.
At least two people, including the balloon's pilot, survived, reportedly by jumping out of the balloon before it crashed. At least two people, including the balloon's pilot, are reported to have survived by jumping out of the balloon before it crashed.
Luxor is home to some of Egypt's most famous pharaonic-era ruins. Officials in Luxor say they have now banned all hot air balloon flights.
It lies on the banks of the River Nile in the south of the country, and has long been a popular tourist destination. Dr Abdul Sultan of Luxor International Hospital told the BBC that two Britons had died. One of them is said to have undergone five hours of surgery in an effort to save his life, but died of his injuries.
British tour operator Thomas Cook confirmed that four of its clients were on board the balloon - two had died and two were in hospital. British tour operator Thomas Cook says two other clients involved in the crash are in hospital.
"We have a very experienced team in resort with the two guests in the local hospital, and we're providing our full support to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time," Peter Fankhauser, CEO of Thomas Cook UK and Europe, said. The dead also include nine Hong Kong tourists, four from Japan, two French, one Hungarian and an Egyptian woman, Egypt's health ministry says.
The Chinese embassy in Egypt has confirmed that nine Hong Kong tourists died in the balloon crash. The pilot, who is being treated for burns, may have survived by jumping when the balloon was just 10-15m (33-49ft) above ground, a local ballooning official told Reuters news agency.
Egyptian police have said the other tourists include four from Japan and two from France. At least one Egyptian also died. Luxor lies on the banks of the River Nile in the south of the country, and has long been a popular tourist destination.
Earlier reports suggested 19 people had been killed. It is home to some of Egypt's most famous ancient ruins, with the temples of Karnak and Luxor in the city itself and the tombs of famed pharoahs - including Tutankhamen - in valleys nearby.
The governor of Luxor, Ezzat Saad, told BBC Arabic he wanted to send his condolences to the families of those killed and injured.
"We're determined to investigate what happened exactly and the reasons behind this," he said.
Previous crashesPrevious crashes
The crash happened on one of the many dawn hot air balloon flights that give tourists an aerial view of Luxor's famous sites, such as Karnak temple and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.The crash happened on one of the many dawn hot air balloon flights that give tourists an aerial view of Luxor's famous sites, such as Karnak temple and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
The balloon's operating company, Sky Cruise, confirmed that a gas cylinder exploded on board the balloon, bringing it down in an agricultural area just west of Luxor. The balloon's operating company, Sky Cruise, said a gas cylinder exploded on board, bringing it down in sugar cane fields just west of Luxor.
Cherry Tohamy's balloon was landing when she heard an explosion and saw flames from a balloon above.Cherry Tohamy's balloon was landing when she heard an explosion and saw flames from a balloon above.
"Our pilot told us that the balloon had hit a high pressure electrical cable and a cylinder on board exploded," said Ms Tohamy, an Egyptian living in Kuwait who was on holiday in Luxor."Our pilot told us that the balloon had hit a high pressure electrical cable and a cylinder on board exploded," said Ms Tohamy, an Egyptian living in Kuwait who was on holiday in Luxor.
"People were jumping out of the balloon from about the height of a seven-storey building.""People were jumping out of the balloon from about the height of a seven-storey building."
She said ambulances were at the scene within 15 minutes.She said ambulances were at the scene within 15 minutes.
Another witness, US photographer Christopher Michel said his balloon was just about to land when he "heard an explosion and saw smoke". Another witness, US photographer Christopher Michel said his balloon was just about to land when he also "heard an explosion and saw smoke".
The area has been cordoned off by police and investigators are inspecting the charred remains of the balloon.
Egypt's civil aviation minister has reportedly flown to Luxor to head the investigation into the crash.
Hot air balloon crashes have happened in Luxor before. Two British women were among 16 injured when their balloon came down after hitting a communications tower in April 2009.Hot air balloon crashes have happened in Luxor before. Two British women were among 16 injured when their balloon came down after hitting a communications tower in April 2009.
Balloons were grounded for six months after that crash while safety measures were tightened up and pilots were re-trained by Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority. Balloons were grounded for six months after that crash while safety measures were tightened up and pilots re-trained.
But, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo, since the 2011 revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, the rule of law is not being respected in many aspects of Egyptian life, so it has been difficult for the tourism ministry to impose its authority on sites like this.But, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo, since the 2011 revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, the rule of law is not being respected in many aspects of Egyptian life, so it has been difficult for the tourism ministry to impose its authority on sites like this.
Luxor, like many other parts of Egypt, has seen a sharp downturn in visitor numbers since the uprising. Luxor, like many other parts of Egypt, has seen a sharp downturn in visitor numbers during the two years since the uprising.
Are you in Luxor? Send us your comment using the form below.Are you in Luxor? Send us your comment using the form below.