LUXOR – A hot air balloon with 21 tourists on board crashed near Luxor, Egypt, killing 19 of the passengers, according to Nile TV.
NDJ World | Published: Feb 26 2013 Travel
18 of the tourists died instantly. A Brit, who was still alive after the crash, died from his injuries a while later at a hospital.
News reports reveal there were 2 Frenchman, 9 Chinese, 4 Japanese and at least 4 Brits on board the hot air balloon.
The balloon operator, an Egyptian, and one passenger, a Brit, managed to jump out of the balloon’s basket 75 feet above ground. They suffered severe injuries and are resting in critical but stable condition at a nearby hospital, according to news site ‘Al-Ahram’.
All that is left of the hot air balloon basket that transported the 21 tourists above Luxor. Photo Credit: NBCnews
On March 19 2007 a similar balloon excursion accident happened in Luxor. No one was killed at that time but 9 tourists were injured during the crash.
On April 10 2008 7 tourists were injured when their hot air balloon crashed.
In February 2009 there were three balloon crashes on the same day, injuring 60 tourists.
On April 25 2009 16 tourist were taken to a hospital after their hot air balloon struck a cell phone signal tower and crashed. That crash caused the Egyptian government to state: “too many”. All hot air balloon flights above Luxor were suspended for six months.
In addition to the crashes listed above there have been many ‘heart pounding experiences’ while flying hot air balloons above Luxor: burners that break in mid-air, too fast descends, hard landing, balloons bumping into each other and more are noted by the hundreds at travel blogs.
American tour operators advice strongly against taking hot air balloon rides above Luxor. Some US agencies say that although the balloon operator has insurance it is limited to just $US3,500 per person.
Several international travel agencies require their customers to sign waivers of liability if they want to participate in a hot air balloon excursion above Luxor.
Dead bodies are placed in body bag and carried away. Photo Credit: NBCnews
Today’s crash is still under investigation although it is believe a gas explosion on board the hot air balloon caused the deadly accident. This time the government has forbidden all hot air balloon rights over Luxor until further notice.
Other Top Searches: > deadly balloon crash - flying insurance - hot air balloon crash - international travel agencies - list of balloon crashes - Luxor - travel insurance - unsafe excursions
| « Man Dies While Burying His Wife | Super Humans Are Reality By 2045 » |
Spread the word:Discuss this:
More Of Your Picks:
No More Hope For Couple That Jumped From Cruise Ship
SYDNEY – All rescue efforts to find the couple that jumped from the Carnival cruise ship have been halted. Authorities are convinced the young couple is no longer alive
Resting Comfortably And In Style At Abu Dhabi Airport
(NDJ) – The Abu Dhabi International Airport has installed luxury sleeping cocoons for weary travelers wanting to take some shuteye between flights. The egg-shaped cocoons, made in Finland, offer
Virgin Trains Dress Code Sparks Outrage
LONDON – The new uniform for Virgin Trains stewardesses has yet to be worn and already there is outrage that the clothes are too revealing. The new uniform designed
Mars Meteorite Find In Sahara Desert
Wikileaks Founder Learns About Extraditement Verdict
Dropbox Buys Mailbox
Bing Issues A Scroogled Alert