Nineteen people were killed when a hot air balloon carrying 20
tourists exploded Tuesday morning in Luxor, Egypt. Eyewitnesses were
able to take photos just minutes before and after the tragedy, and told
FRANCE 24 what they saw.
The balloon was flying at an altitude of 300 metres over eastern
Luxor, in south-eastern Egypt. The travel company that organised the
trip says the victims are from France, Great Britain, Japan and Hong
Kong. Two survivors – one of whom was the balloon’s pilot – were taken
to a local hospital, according to an Egyptian security official.
When the person who took this photograph arrived a the scene, field workers were rushing to help the victims. Photo by Mahmoud Salem.
Mahmoud took the first photos of the crash, just after rescue personnel arrived on the scene.
“The field workers that are in my photos saw the hot air balloon
suddenly explode, and saw passengers jump out of the basket. Someone
from the company that organised the ride told me that a British person
had survived. Fire-fighters arrived very quickly, as well as the
governor of Luxor. Many people came to help get the bodies out of the
fields.”
Pieces
of the hot air balloon were strewn along the countryside in
Luxor. These weights were reportedly thrown from the balloon as the
pilot tried to regain altitude. Photo by Mahmoud Salem.
Moustafa works for the travel company that organised the hot air balloon ride.
I saw a fire in the balloon’s basket. Due to the fire, the balloon
lost [altitude]. It was out of control. It jerked up and dropped down
again 30 metres. There were some people jumping from the balloon and
falling into the sugar cane fields before it crashed.
I know the pilot – he’s a good pilot. The problem wasn’t him, it
was the balloon – what could he do? Everyone in our company is shocked
and very sad about what’s happened.
Forty
minutes before the tragedy, a trouist took this photo of one of the
company's hot air balloons. Photo published on Twitter by samy qaid .
