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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Tom Embury-Dennis

Hot air balloon crash: Tourist flight crashes with at least 20 people on board

A hot air balloon carrying at least 20 people has crashed near the Egyptian city of Luxor, killing one person and injuring 12 more, according to local officials. 

The flight crash-landed west of the city on a desert road on Friday morning after strong winds blew the balloon off course above the city's temples and tombs. 

It is not clear if any UK citizens were involved, but the Foreign Office is investigating. It is understood tourists of various nationalities were on board. 

Hot air balloon incidents have occurred in the past over Luxor. 

In 2013, 19 foreign tourists were killed when their balloon caught fire. In 2016, Egypt temporarily halted balloon flights after 22 Chinese tourists suffered minor injuries in a crash landing of their hot air balloon. 

Since then, balloon rides are monitored by cameras and banned from flying above 2,000 meters.

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