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Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
One dead and dozens injured after hot air balloon crash in Turkey
One dead and dozens injured after hot air balloon crash in Turkey The tragic incident is said to have unfolded after a change in wind Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists travel to Turkey during the ballooning season, which peaks between June and August (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images ) One person has died and 19 others have been injured after a hot air balloon crashed in Turkey. What was supposed to be an enjoyable holiday experience turned tragic on Sunday after two hot air balloons crashed in separate incidents in central Turkey. Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists travel to Turkey during the ballooning season, which peaks between June and August. The two incidents took place near the Ihlara Valley, an area known for its scenic landscapes and popular balloon flights. Turkey's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has confirmed that an investigation is now underway. In a statement, the ministry said: 'Unfortunately, the pilot of the balloon lost his life as a result of the hard landing. It was understood that the meteorological conditions were suitable for flight at the time of take-off, but the decision to land was made due to unexpected winds in the region.' For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here According to local media reports, both balloons launched in favourable weather conditions but were forced to make sudden landings due to sudden changes in wind. It was during these landings that the accidents occurred. In one of the incidents, 19 Indonesian tourists were injured and the pilot, who has not been named, died after falling from the basket and becoming entangled in a rope. Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu said in a statement: 'Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died. Our tourists are in good condition. We took them to the hospital by ambulance. They are being examined.' Article continues below In a separate incident, another balloon that had taken off from the Güzelyurt area also made a hard landing early on Sunday morning, resulting in minor injuries to 12 Indian tourists. According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, all of those injured were taken to hospital for treatment. Footage shared by the İhlas News Agency showed one of the deflated balloons lying on its side with its passenger basket on the ground, as emergency services attended to the injured. In response to the incidents, local authorities have launched a formal investigation, and tour operators have been advised to review their safety procedures. Article continues below These are not the first fatal hot air balloon accidents to occur in Turkey in recent years. In 2022, two Spanish tourists died after a balloon made a hard landing during a sightseeing tour of Cappadocia, a region known for its distinctive rock formations. The 'fairy chimney' rock structures of Cappadocia - created by centuries of erosion - are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and are a major attraction for tourists seeking hot air balloon experiences in the area.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tragic final moments of hot air balloon pilot who 'got stuck' in horror plunge
A pilot has tragically lost his life in one of two hot air balloon catastrophes that unfolded yesterday, near Central Turkey's breathtaking Ihara Valley What should have been a joyful holiday experience descended into tragedy on Sunday after two hot air balloons crashed in separate incidents, leaving one pilot dead. Year after year, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Turkey for ballooning season, which reaches its peak between the months of June and August. These two incidents occurred near the Ihara Valley in Central Turkey, where the breathtaking natural landscape makes for spectacular views from the sky. The rugged "fairy chimney" rock formations of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site caused by centuries of unusual erosion, are a particular draw for adventurous tourists. According to local media reports, both balloons took off during suitable weather conditions; however, they were forced to make a sudden touchdown due to unexpected changes in the wind. It was then that catastrophe struck. READ MORE: Turkey balloon ride crash leaves one dead and 31 injured in holiday hotspot In one of the incidents, 19 Indonesian tourists were injured, while the pilot, who has not been named, sadly died after falling out of the basket, with his feet getting tangled in the rope. In an update, Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu told members of the public: "Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died. Our tourists are in good condition. We took them to the hospital by ambulance. They are being examined." According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, another hot air balloon that launched in the Guzelyurt area of the region also ran into disaster after making a hard landing early Sunday morning, with 12 Indian tourists left "slightly wounded". All those injured were taken to the hospital for treatment. In the aftermath of this tragedy, local authorities have launched an investigation, while tour operators have been advised to review their safety protocols. Footage from Ilhas News Agency shows one deflated balloon, with its passenger basket lying on its side, while emergency services tended to the injured. The Turkey's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has stated that it will now be carrying out an investigation. The government body advised: "Unfortunately, the pilot of the balloon lost his life as a result of the hard landing. It was understood that the meteorological conditions were suitable for flight at the time of take-off, but the decision to land was made due to unexpected winds in the region." Unfortunately, these aren't the first fatal hot air balloon crashes to happen in Turkey in recent years. Back in 2022, two Spanish tourists died after a hot air balloon made a particularly rocky landing, following a sightseeing tour of Cappadocia's geological wonders.
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Two hot air balloons with tourists plummet to the ground, with at least one dead
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Two hot air balloons filled with tourists have crashed to the ground, leaving at least a dozen injured and one dead. The tourists were visiting the country's world famous Cappadocia region, known for its colourful hot air balloon displays. However the two balloons made crash landings on Sunday morning. Video from the site of one crash shows a deflated hot air balloon strewn over the ground and a basket overturned. Both hot air balloons came down from mid air after launching from the scenic Ihlara Valley. One was carrying Indonesian tourists and set off at 5am local time (3am GMT). Two hours later, it made a hard landing near the village of Karataş, with the pilot dying in the crash. According to the local province's governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu, at least 12 passengers were injured in the crash, which was caused by a 'sudden change in wind'. The other hot air balloon reportedly crash landed near Belisırma village in Güzelyurt district. It is believed as many as 12 tourists were slightly injured in the separate incident, the country's state broadcaster TRT reported. The Turkey's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said they would be conducting an investigation of the fatal accident. They added: 'Unfortunately, the pilot of the balloon lost his life as a result of the hard landing. More Trending 'It was understood that the meteorological conditions were suitable for flight at the time of take-off, but the decision to land was made due to unexpected winds in the region.' The Cappadocia region attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. It is home to unique rock formations, dubbed 'fairy chimneys', formed from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The area is also famous for its iconic skyline, busy with colourful balloons. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Turkey reveals 'cause of death' of Beth Martin who had 'heart removed' on holiday MORE: Easyjet launches 11 new flights from major UK airport to Greece, Spain, Portugal and more MORE: British dad says he 'almost died' after holiday in four-star Turkish hotel
