In a tragic incident on Sunday, two hot air balloons operating from Ihlara Valley in Aksaray met with disaster, resulting in one fatality and numerous injuries among tourists. The balloons were conducting scenic flights when they crashed near Gözlukuyu village, prompting an immediate response from local authorities.
Details of the Aksaray incident
According to reports, a pilot lost his life in the accident after becoming entangled in the ropes of the balloon. Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu confirmed that the pilot was ejected from the basket and tragically became trapped beneath it. He remarked,
“Unfortunately, our pilot lost his life by being trapped under the basket. Our tourists are in good condition, we took them to hospital by ambulances, their examinations are continuing.”
In total, 19 Indonesian tourists sustained injuries during the crash, but their conditions have been described as stable. Emergency services promptly transported the injured individuals to nearby hospitals for further evaluation and treatment.
Additional incident in Güzelyurt
In a separate incident, another hot air balloon made a hard landing near Belisırma village in the Güzelyurt district. This incident, while apparently unconnected to the first, resulted in injuries to 12 Indian tourists, who were also taken to hospitals for care. Fortunately, their injuries were reported to be minor.
The series of accidents has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place for hot air balloon flights in the region, a popular destination for both local and international tourists seeking aerial views of Turkey’s stunning landscapes.