Tools

Hot Air Balloon Crashes in Egypt, Death Toll Rises to 19

by KREX News Room
by Jacklyn Thrapp

Story Created: Feb 26, 2013 at 8:19 AM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 26, 2013 at 8:19 AM MDT

LUXOR, Egypt (AP) - Health officials say the death toll from a hot air balloon accident in Egypt has risen to 19 after a British tourist died of his injuries.

Another British tourist and the balloon's Egyptian pilot are the only survivors. State radio reported that the Egyptian has severe burns on his body.

The health officials spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because they were not authorized to speak to press. British tour operator Thomas Cook confirmed that the Briton died in the hospital.

The accident occurred when a hot air balloon flying over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field after dawn. The casualties included French, British, Belgian, Hungarian, Japanese nationals and nine tourists from Hong Kong, according to Luxor's governor.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KREX - News, Weather, Sports for Grand Junction | Montrose | Glenwood Springs - Coverage You Can Count On and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
News Channel 5 Weather