One killed and 24 injured after two hot air balloons crash mid-air above Turkish volcanoes
- Ascending balloon struck another's wicker basket above, causing a tear
- The passengers on board were mostly tourists from Asia, Spain and Brazil
- Balloons were flying above scenic canyons and volcanoes of Cappadocia
- Second fatal accident in region since balloon tours launched a decade ago
By ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTER PUBLISHED: 10:53 GMT, 20 May 2013 | UPDATED: 14:27 GMT, 20 May 2013
Two hot air balloons collided mid-air during a sightseeing tour of volcanic rock formations in Turkey on Monday, causing one of them to crash to the ground, officials said. One Brazilian tourist was killed while 24 other people on board were injured.The ascending balloon struck another balloon’s wicker basket above it, causing a tear that sent it plunging to the ground, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Tragic: The ascending balloon struck another balloon¿s wicker basket above it, causing a tear that sent it plunging to the ground
Injured but alive: Medics tend to a female survivor of the crash in hospital
The passengers on board the balloon that crashed were mostly tourists from Asia, Spain and Brazil, according to Abdurrahman Savas, the governor of Nevsehir province. Many had fractured bones and one of them, an elderly passenger, was in serious condition.
The balloons were flying above scenic canyons and volcanic cones of the Cappadocia region, a popular tourist destination some 300 kilometers (190 miles) from the capital, Ankara.
Terror: This is the moment the hot air was sucked out of the balloon immediately after the collision causing it to fall from the sky
Fatal collision: A Brazilian tourist was killed and 24 others were wounded when the two balloons collided in the touristic region of Cappadocia
In trouble: The accident happened at about 4am GMT this morning near the city of Nevsehir
Horror: Onlookers watched in horror as the balloon plummeted to earth
Investigation: The cause of the collisions is unclear as investigators probe whether it was down to a technical fault or human error
Double trouble: It was the second fatal accident in Cappadocia since balloon sightseeing tours were launched there more than a decade ago
Cappadocia is famed for its “fairy chimney” volcanic cones and its subterranean cities carved out of soft stone.It was the second fatal accident in Cappadocia since balloon sightseeing tours were launched there more than a decade ago. In 2009, a British tourist died when two balloons also collided mid-air.In February, a balloon caught fire and crashed in Egypt, killing 19 tourists.
Tragic: The ascending balloon struck another balloon¿s wicker basket above it, causing a tear that sent it plunging to the ground
Injured but alive: Medics tend to a female survivor of the crash in hospital
The passengers on board the balloon that crashed were mostly tourists from Asia, Spain and Brazil, according to Abdurrahman Savas, the governor of Nevsehir province. Many had fractured bones and one of them, an elderly passenger, was in serious condition.
The balloons were flying above scenic canyons and volcanic cones of the Cappadocia region, a popular tourist destination some 300 kilometers (190 miles) from the capital, Ankara.
Terror: This is the moment the hot air was sucked out of the balloon immediately after the collision causing it to fall from the sky
Fatal collision: A Brazilian tourist was killed and 24 others were wounded when the two balloons collided in the touristic region of Cappadocia
In trouble: The accident happened at about 4am GMT this morning near the city of Nevsehir
Horror: Onlookers watched in horror as the balloon plummeted to earth
Investigation: The cause of the collisions is unclear as investigators probe whether it was down to a technical fault or human error
Double trouble: It was the second fatal accident in Cappadocia since balloon sightseeing tours were launched there more than a decade ago
Cappadocia is famed for its “fairy chimney” volcanic cones and its subterranean cities carved out of soft stone.It was the second fatal accident in Cappadocia since balloon sightseeing tours were launched there more than a decade ago. In 2009, a British tourist died when two balloons also collided mid-air.In February, a balloon caught fire and crashed in Egypt, killing 19 tourists.
