Woman killed and 12 injured in Egypt hot air balloon crash
The sightseeing balloon, which flies over the city of Luxor, was forced off course by strong winds 45 minutes into the flight.
Friday 5 January 2018 10:58, UK
A 36-year-old woman has died and a dozen other tourists were injured in a hot air balloon crash in Egypt.
Holidaymakers of different nationalities, as well as Egyptian nationals, were on board the sightseeing balloon when it crash landed in western Luxor, according to state news agency MENA.
Officials said the pilot lost control after strong winds forced the balloon off course around 45 minutes into the flight.
Egypt's health ministry confirmed the death of a South African tourist and the number of those injured but did not give further details.
The injured are being treated at Luxor International Hospital.
The incident comes after 19 people - mostly Asian and European tourists - were killed near the same city in a hot air balloon crash in 2013, when it caught fire in a mid-air gas explosion.
The balloon plunged 1,000ft into a sugar cane field.
In 2016, 22 Chinese tourists suffered minor injuries in another balloon crash, which prompted the country to temporarily halt flights while it tightened safety measures.
The balloons, which provide spectacular views of ancient Karnak and the temples of Luxor, are now monitored by cameras and banned from flying above 2,000 metres.