ANKARA, Turkey (HPD) — Two Spanish tourists were killed and three others injured Tuesday when a hot air balloon crash-landed after an excursion over volcanic rock formations in central Turkey, authorities said.
The accident occurred in the region of Cappadocia, in the province of Nevsehir, where it is common for balloons to fly over its picturesque canyons and volcanic vents.
The cause of the fire was a “sudden gust of wind,” the governor’s office said in a statement. Emergency services immediately rushed to the scene of the accident, he added.
On board the balloon were 28 tourists and two crew members. None of the injured were in critical condition, the note added.
The Cappadocia region, about 300 kilometers (190 miles) south of the capital Ankara, is known for its rock formations known as “fairy chimneys,” underground cities and churches carved into the sides of mountains.
The region attracts millions of tourists each year.