19 tourists killed as hot air balloon explodes, crashes in Egypt

LUXOR, Egypt – 19 foreign tourists were killed when a hot air balloon exploded and plummeted from the sky in southern Egypt, state-run Nile TV reported.

LUXOR, Egypt – 19 foreign tourists were killed when a hot air balloon exploded and plummeted from the sky in southern Egypt, state-run Nile TV reported.

A total of 21 people were in the balloon when it fell about 300 meters (almost 1,000 feet) in the city of Luxor, Nile said.

Spokesman for companies that operate balloon flights said that one tourist and the balloon pilot had survived the crash.

Balloon rides that offer scenic aerial views of the Nile River and the ancient temples of Karnak and Hatshepsut are a popular tourist attraction in Luxor, about nine hours’ drive southeast of Cairo.

Passengers in the balloon included 19 foreign tourists: nine from Hong Kong; four from Japan; two from Belgium; two from Britain and two from France, Luxor province Gov. Izzat Saad said.

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Linda Hohnholz

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