29/05/2009

British Tourist Killed In Turkish Balloon Crash

A British man has died and nine others have been injured in a hot-air balloon crash in central Turkey.

According to reports from the Anatolia news agency, the balloon dropped 200 metres shortly after leaving Nevsehir province for a tour of the Cappadocia region.

Accident investigators immediately launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Local media reports said the victim was a 61-year-old man and nine other British tourists were hospitalised with fractures in their legs or feet.

The pilot is also believed to have been injured in the crash.

The cause of the accident was under investigation.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman confirmed a British national had died and nine others were being treated in hospital after a ballooning accident in the Cappadocia region.

"Consular officials are in contact with local authorities and are travelling to the area to provide consular assistance," she said.

She said the family of the deceased "were in the process of being informed".

(JM/BMcC)

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