ANKARA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed, and 19 others were injured Sunday after an air balloon crashed in central Türkiye, local daily Cumhuriyet reported.
Two hot air balloons that took off from Ihlara Valley in the Guzelyurt district of Aksaray Province crashed shortly after takeoff near the Gozlukkoyu area, for reasons that have yet to be determined.
Aksaray Provincial Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoglu stated that the balloon made a hard landing, resulting in the death of the pilot and injuries to 19 tourists.
"The pilot's feet became entangled in a rope, causing him to fall from the basket," said Kumbuzoglu. "Unfortunately, our pilot was caught under the basket and passed away. The conditions of our tourists are good. They were transported to the hospital by ambulance and are undergoing examinations," he said.
Cumhuriyet reported that the tourists were Indonesian.
The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed, and an investigation into the incident is underway. The hot air balloons were reportedly operating as part of the region's tourism activities. ■
