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Egypt balloon crash: Two Britons and UK resident die Egypt balloon crash: Two Britons and UK resident die
(35 minutes later)
A woman from Perthshire was among two Britons who died after a hot air balloon carrying tourists crashed in Egypt, killing 19 people.A woman from Perthshire was among two Britons who died after a hot air balloon carrying tourists crashed in Egypt, killing 19 people.
Yvonne Rennie, from Perth, died and her husband Michael is in hospital in Egypt, the British ambassador has said. Mr Rennie is described as being in "remarkably good shape".Yvonne Rennie, from Perth, died and her husband Michael is in hospital in Egypt, the British ambassador has said. Mr Rennie is described as being in "remarkably good shape".
A UK resident was also among the dead - which included French, Hungarian, Hong Kong and Japanese citizens. A UK resident was also among the dead - which included French, Hungarian, Hong Kong, Egyptian and Japanese citizens.
The pilot is thought to have survived.The pilot is thought to have survived.
The balloon is said to have been 1,000 ft (300m) in the air when it exploded, caught fire and fell on to agricultural fields.The balloon is said to have been 1,000 ft (300m) in the air when it exploded, caught fire and fell on to agricultural fields.
The British ambassador to Egypt, James Watt, told the BBC he had visited Mr Rennie at Luxor International Hospital.The British ambassador to Egypt, James Watt, told the BBC he had visited Mr Rennie at Luxor International Hospital.
Neighbours have been placing flowers outside the couple's home.Neighbours have been placing flowers outside the couple's home.
Travel company Thomas Cook confirmed the British citizens and resident were its customers and said the accident was a "terrible tragedy".
The four had been on holiday and were among more than 20 people in the balloon when it crashed to the ground in flames.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. We are providing them with consular assistance."A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. We are providing them with consular assistance."
'People jumping''People jumping'
Thomas Cook has set up an emergency phone line for concerned relatives on 0800 107 5638. It has about 150 customers in the Luxor area at present. The crash happened on one of the many dawn hot air balloon flights that give tourists a view of the area's tourist attractions, such as Karnak temple and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Officials in Luxor have now banned all hot air balloon flights. Civil Aviation Minister Wael al-Maadawi said a committee from the ministry would investigate the incident.
An investigator with the state prosecutor's office told the Associated Press that the balloon had been landing at about 07:00 (05:00 GMT) when a landing cable got caught around a helium tube and a fire broke out on board.
The balloon then quickly gained altitude before the fire caused the gas canister to explode and it fell to the ground in a sugar cane field outside the village of al-Dhabaa, west of Luxor, an Egyptian security official said.
Mohammed Youssef, a pilot of another balloon which was in the air nearby at the time, told the Guardian newspaper that the fire started when it was 3m from the ground and was caused by a gas leak.
The pilot and a British passenger jumped to safety when the fire erupted, which affected the balance of the balloon, sending more heat into its "envelope" and causing it to climb rapidly, he said. About five or six other people leapt out when it was about 30m (100ft) off the ground, he added.
"People were jumping out of the balloon from about the height of a seven-storey building," Cherry Tohamy, an Egyptian who was in another balloon, told the BBC. Ambulances arrived 15 minutes later, she said.
The governor of Luxor, Ezzat Saad, told the BBC he wanted to send his condolences to the families of those killed and injured.
"For the safety of the tourists and the Egyptians I have ordered all the companies dealing with balloons to stop flights until we know exactly what happened and the reasons for it."
Travel company Thomas Cook confirmed the British citizens and resident - thought to be a Hungarian man - were its customers and said the accident was a "terrible tragedy".
Thomas Cook UK and Europe chief executive Peter Fankhauser said: "The thoughts of everyone in Thomas Cook are with our guests, their family and friends.Thomas Cook UK and Europe chief executive Peter Fankhauser said: "The thoughts of everyone in Thomas Cook are with our guests, their family and friends.
"We're providing our full support to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.""We're providing our full support to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time."
Luxor lies on the banks of the River Nile in the south of the country, and has long been a popular tourist destination.Luxor lies on the banks of the River Nile in the south of the country, and has long been a popular tourist destination.
The crash happened on one of the many dawn hot air balloon flights that give tourists a view of Luxor's tourist attractions, such as Karnak temple and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Thomas Cook said it had temporarily suspended sales of hot air balloon rides in Egypt.
The balloon's operating company, Sky Cruise, confirmed that a gas cylinder had exploded on board the balloon, bringing it down.
Holidaymaker Cherry Tohamy was in another balloon that was landing when she heard an explosion and saw flames from a balloon above.
She told the BBC: "Our pilot told us that the balloon had hit a high pressure electrical cable and a cylinder on board exploded. People were jumping out of the balloon from about the height of a seven-storey building."
She added that ambulances had arrived at the scene within 15 minutes.
Hot air balloon crashes have happened in Luxor before. Two British women were among 16 injured when their balloon came down after hitting a communications tower in April 2009.Hot air balloon crashes have happened in Luxor before. Two British women were among 16 injured when their balloon came down after hitting a communications tower in April 2009.
Balloons were grounded for six months after that crash while safety measures were tightened and pilots were re-trained by Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority.Balloons were grounded for six months after that crash while safety measures were tightened and pilots were re-trained by Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority.
Linda Lea, 67, a retired policewoman from Stoke-on-Trent, who had four months of hospital treatment after the 2009 crash that left her with 26 broken bones, said the latest incident brought back painful memories.Linda Lea, 67, a retired policewoman from Stoke-on-Trent, who had four months of hospital treatment after the 2009 crash that left her with 26 broken bones, said the latest incident brought back painful memories.
"It's the opportunity. You've got to see the whole spectrum and the whole vista of the Valley of the Kings," she told the BBC as she digested news of another crash. "It's the opportunity. You've got to see the whole spectrum and the whole vista of the Valley of the Kings," she told the BBC.
"If you're interested in Egyptian history it's a unique opportunity to do that." The balloon Mrs Lea flew in hit a mobile phone mast, ripping the balloon and causing an explosion that brought it crashing down.
The balloon Mrs Lea flew in hit a mobile phone mast, ripping the balloon and causing an explosion that brought it crashing down. Fire also brought down the balloon in Tuesday's Luxor crash.
"These balloons are just too unstable. There is not enough training of staff. There were about 22 or 23 in my balloon when it crashed and maybe there was too many then and too many in today's accident," she said."These balloons are just too unstable. There is not enough training of staff. There were about 22 or 23 in my balloon when it crashed and maybe there was too many then and too many in today's accident," she said.
Mark Packer, from London, who went on a balloon in Luxor earlier this month, said he was left "scared" by his experience.Mark Packer, from London, who went on a balloon in Luxor earlier this month, said he was left "scared" by his experience.
He said the pilots did not appear to treat the equipment carefully and his flight hit a tree.He said the pilots did not appear to treat the equipment carefully and his flight hit a tree.
"They go up to 800 or 1,000 feet, then bring the balloon down and across the temples at a low height," he told the BBC."They go up to 800 or 1,000 feet, then bring the balloon down and across the temples at a low height," he told the BBC.
"I'm not saying they're not experienced pilots, but they are dragging the baskets through the sugar canes... The pilot broke off a piece of sugar cane to give to us.""I'm not saying they're not experienced pilots, but they are dragging the baskets through the sugar canes... The pilot broke off a piece of sugar cane to give to us."
Did you witness the crash? Are you in Luxor? You can get in touch using the form below:Did you witness the crash? Are you in Luxor? You can get in touch using the form below: