Several Australians were among those involved in a hot air balloon crash that killed at least one person near the southern Egyptian city of Luxor, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Saturday.
It was unable to confirm how many Australians were among the 20 tourists on board the balloon when it crashed near the ancient city on Friday, but said consular staff were providing assistance to “several” Australians.
One person, a tourist from South Africa, died, an Egypt health ministry official said. An Argentinian and two French tourists were among those being treated in hospital. A number of other tourists were also taken to Luxor International hospital and have since been released.
While high winds and sandstorms hit regions across Egypt on Friday, the official said it was not the weather but a forceful landing after the balloon deviated from its path that led to the injuries, and there had been 21 other safe balloon trips carrying more than 400 tourists in Luxor on Friday.
The balloon took off around sunrise and flew about 45 minutes at an altitude of 450 metres before the pilot lost control over a mountainous area, officials said. The pilot was among those injured.
Luxor governor Mohamed Badr ordered the closure of all highways linking to other provinces because of the poor visibility created by the weather, and Cairo International Airport staff were put on high alert.
