Hot air balloon carrying 20 people crashes in Egypt

A hot air balloon carrying around 20 people, including tourists, has crashed near Egypt's city of Luxor and at least one person has reportedly been killed, according to security and medical officials.

The officials said the incident was caused by strong winds that forced the balloon off its course above the city's pharaonic temples and tombs.

At least seven people were also injured in the accident and have been hospitalized. Luxor Governor Mahmoud Badr said a statement about the incident would be released shortly, according to AFP.

Luxor has suffered a series of hot air balloon accidents. 19 tourists were killed in 2013 after their balloon caught fire mid-flight over the ancient Egyptian city. The tragedy came four years after a hot air balloon crash injured 13 tourists seeking an aerial view of the city.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)