Egyptian hot air balloon crash death toll rises to 19
Posted at: 02/26/2013 7:02 AM
| Updated at: 02/26/2013 10:16 AM
By: The Associated Press
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) - Health officials say the death toll from a hot air balloon accident in Egypt has risen to 19 after a British tourist died of his injuries.
Another British tourist and the balloon's Egyptian pilot are the only survivors. State radio reported that the Egyptian has severe burns on his body.
The health officials spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because they were not authorized to speak to press. British tour operator Thomas Cook confirmed that the Briton died in the hospital.
The accident occurred when a hot air balloon flying over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field after dawn. The casualties included French, British, Belgian, Hungarian, Japanese nationals and nine tourists from Hong Kong, according to Luxor's governor.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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