NEVSEHIR, Turkey
At least 18 people were injured Friday after a hot-air balloon crash at one of Turkey’s top tourist destinations.
The balloon in Cappadocia took off with a 20-person group from the town of Goreme in the Nevsehir province in the early morning hours before making a hard landing in the Uzgeni Valley in Urgup.
Among the group were 14 tourists of Chinese nationality, two Americans, two Greeks, one Brazilian and one Turk, said Dr. Rahim Unlubay, Nevsehir health director, who spoke to reporters.
"All of the injured are currently being treated in hospital," said Unlubay, adding that their conditions were stable.
The reason behind the hard landing is not yet known; however, initial reports claim that some gas, which allows the balloon to ascend, escaped when the basket hit the ground causing the craft to catch fire.
The pilot of the balloon had first-degree burns on his arms and head, Unlubay said.
The civil aviation authority in Nevsehir and gendarmerie teams have launched an investigation at the crash site.
