Hot Air Balloon Accident: Chinese National Killed, 8 Malaysians Injured In Turkey


A hot air balloon accident in Turkey has left several people seriously injured. According to the Rakyat Post, one Chinese tourist has died from injuries sustained in the crash, while eight other people were injured when the hot air balloon crashed in central Turkey on Wednesday. The Malaysian Embassy in Ankara confirmed that five Malaysians were on board. The accident happened during a sightseeing ride over the rock formations of Cappadocia (pictured above).

“The tourist from China has been identified as Tang Yi who died on the spot, with Dogan news agency saying that the rest were hospitalized for fractures and broken bones,” reports the Rakyat Post.

The hot air balloon accident happened in an area where ballooning has become very popular. According to Asia One, tourists flock to the area just to take a hot air balloon ride, and to take in the sights from the higher elevation. However, there have been many safety concerns raised over the past several months.

“Several companies offer hot-air balloon rides over Cappadocia, which is a major tourist attraction with its cone-shaped rock formations, rock-carved underground cities and early Christian churches. Three Brazilian tourists visiting Turkey were killed in May 2013 when two hot air balloons collided above Cappadocia.”

As for what exactly happened, detailed information has been scattered. There has been at least one report that suggests two hot air balloons crashed in mid-air, and nearly a dozen people have been injured, although that information has not been confirmed by any officials connected to the incident. Another news outlet reported that there was another tourist in critical condition, but ABC News reported that the remaining hospitalized tourists do not have life-threatening injuries.

Another hot air balloon accident made news back in May. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, a balloon crash happened in Virginia (in the United States) that left two people dead, and a third person missing.

“The accident happened Friday night in Virginia and was part of a balloon festival. A total of 13 balloons took off from the home of the Virginia State Fair and were approaching their landing when one of the balloons struck a power line. The pilot tried to regain control as two passengers either jumped or fell from the gondola.”

Witnesses recalled hearing the balloon passengers screaming for help and seeing the balloon on fire.

Share this article: Hot Air Balloon Accident: Chinese National Killed, 8 Malaysians Injured In Turkey
More from Inquisitr