21 May 2013

Passengers killed in Turkey balloon collision

11:49 am on 21 May 2013

Two tourists have been killed and more than 20 other people injured after two hot-air balloons collided in Turkey.

Witnesses say one ascending balloon was torn open as it hit the basket of another, and then plunged to the ground.

The accident happened in Cappadocia, which is popular with tourists for its spectacular volcanic rock formations, the BBC reports.

The governor of Nevsehir province said two Brazilians, aged 65 and 71, had died. He said passengers on board the flight were mostly tourists from Brazil, Argentina and Spain.

Turkey's civil aviation agency says it has launched an inquiry.