onsdag 27. februar 2013

Ballongflyging - Egypt


No safety briefing on balloon flight - photographer (Egypt)

An American photographer who was nearby when a hot air balloon exploded in Egypt on Tuesday, says his flight had no safety briefing and flights were cancelled the day before.


The scene soon after take-off, with the balloon that later exploded, shown at top.

Christopher Michel heard the explosion which killed 19 people as the balloon he was in, was coming in to land at Luxor.

The company operating the balloon said a gas cylinder appears to have caught fire and exploded 300 metres above the ground. It was one of several making a dawn flight,

Mr Michel said his flight was cancelled the day before because of an argument between airport officials and balloon owners.

He told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme the operators were still disorganised the second day, but they were able to fly.

Luxor is on the banks of the River Nile and has long been a popular tourist destination. It is home to some of Egypt's most famous ancient ruins.

Tourists go to Luxor to visit the temples and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings.

In 2009, 13 foreign tourists were injured when their hot air balloon hit a phone mast and crashed

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