Egyptian balloon death pilot held
THE pilot of an Egyptian hot air balloon which exploded killing two Britons and 17 other foreign tourists has been arrested.
Momin Murad, who was one of only two survivors, was detained after being released from hospital.
His arrest coincides with the emergence of a secret dossier which claims the authorities failed to act on a number of complaints about balloon safety in the city of Luxor prior to the February 26 tragedy. It reveals concerns that balloons were flying dangerously low, in bad weather, without permission and with too many passengers.
Murad is said to have jumped from the balloon, along with Michael Rennie, 49, from Perth, Scotland, while it was still near the ground.
Mr Rennie’s wife Yvonne, 48, died in the crash.