Egypt hot air balloon HORROR: South African tourist killed in crash landing in Luxor
A TOURIST has been killed and 12 others left injured after a sightseeing hot air balloon crash landed in Luxor, Egypt.
The incident was caused by strong winds which forced the balloon off course, according to Egyptian officials.
The balloon had been carrying a group of around 20 foreign tourists on a sightseeing tour above Luxor, renowned for its pharaonic temples and tombs.
Luxor governor Mahmoud Badr confirmed the accident, telling AFP he was at a hospital in the city checking on passengers taken there.
The tourist killed was a 36-year-old South African man, according to the health ministry. Health officials and state media had earlier said a woman died.
An Argentinian and two French tourists are being treated in hospital.
Of the 12 injured, two are in a serious condition and are being treated at Luxor International Hospital.
Horrifying photos show the aftermath of the crash, with the balloon's empty basket resting on the sand.
The balloon is also pictured strewn across the ground with emergency service vehicles surrounding it.
This is not the first fatal hot air balloon crash over Luxor – in 2013, UK nationals were among 19 foreign tourists were killed when their balloon caught fire following a reported gas leak.
And in 2016, Egypt briefly halted hot air balloon excursions after 22 Chinese tourists suffered minor injuries in a crash landing.
Since then, balloon rides have been monitored by cameras and banned from flying above 2,000m (6,562ft).
Hot air balloon trips are very popular with tourists visiting Egypt and usually take place at sunrise over the Karnak and Luxor temples as well as the Valley of the Kings.