Luxor, known to be the ancient city of Egypt sees tourists from around the world who come here to explore the monuments and temples of this historic city. This time the city came to limelight for different reason altogether.
It witnessed the biggest air balloon accident that led to the death of 19 tourists from countries like Britain, France and Japan. The accident occurred after the leakage that led to the explosion of the cylinder. The only survivals were the pilot and the British tourist who jumped of the balloon.
19 tourists died
19 tourists died when a hot air balloon crashed 1,000 feet to the ground. Recently a balloon crash took place near the ancient city of Luxor, Egypt. Buy online images of the Luxor air balloon crash to know more details of this tragedy. The 19 tourist on-board of the balloon were taking a sunrise flight.
The Egyptian authorities have launched the investigations to determine the reason of the crash. The victims of the accident includes tourist from France, Britain, Hungary and Japan. Also on board were nine tourists from Hong Kong.
The Egyptian authorities have launched the investigations to determine the reason of the crash. The victims of the accident includes tourist from France, Britain, Hungary and Japan. Also on board were nine tourists from Hong Kong.
Pilot and British tourist survived
Ezzat Saad, Governor of Luxor informed that Yvonne Rennie a tourist from Perth, Scotland died while her husband Michael was being treated for the injuries caused during the accident. Hoe Bampton another 40 year old British tourist and his Hungarian girlfriend Suzanna Gyetvai are among the tourists who died in the crash. Momin Mourad Ali who is the Egyptian pilot and a British tourist are the only individuals who survived the crash. The pilot survived with 70% burns and is been treated in a Luxor hospital. Buy content to know about the reasons that led to the blast.
On-going investigation
The investigation has been initiated, but the witnesses said that they saw people leaping out of the balloon while it was on fire. It had caught fire while it was landing at 7 am. It was the gas canister which exploded and led to the death of many. British tourist and pilot were the only two who managed to jump off the balloon in good time to save their lives.
The air balloon crashed into sugar cane field from a height of 1,000 feet. The accident is now considered to be one of the worst balloon accidents to have taken place. It will not only affect tourism in Egypt but also the balloon rides all over the world. Buy news articles to know about the tourism based economy of Luxor.
The foreign office spokesperson issued a statement saying, "We have had consular officials in Luxor since early this morning who have been focused on providing consular assistance and supporting the Egyptian authorities. Our Ambassador to Egypt has met the injured British national and has offered our assistance."
Eyewitnesses
Another pilot who was airborne 100 metres from the crash said that blast would have caused due to the leak in one of the four cylinders. The balance of the balloon was affected when the British tourist and the pilot jumped out of the balloon for safety. More air was pushed into the balloon when the balance was disturbed, thus leading to the rise and eventual crash.
According to the eyewitness account of the pilot of another air balloon, some of the tourists died after hitting the ground, while others died of the burns caused by the explosion of the cylinders.
Luxor - a tourist destination
Luxor is a major tourist destination as it is a city on the banks of the river Nile and on site of the ancient city of Thebes. Nearly 25% revenue of the city is generated from the visiting tourists. Tourism was low since the on-going revolution which started in the year 2010. It was only recently that tourists had begun revisiting the monuments. Air Balloon trips are usually carried out in the morning time to view the Karnak building complex and Luxor temples alongside the Valley of the Kings.
