Foreign tourists killed in Egypt balloon crash

[NBCNews]

   By Ayman Mohyeldin and Charlene Gubash, NBC NewsA hot air balloon carrying foreign tourists crashed near the ancient city of Luxor, killing 19 people, a government official confirmed Tuesday.

Initial reports say the hot air balloon caught on fire mid-air before crashing to the ground, General Mamdough Khaled, director of security for Luxor Governate said in a statement. Luxor International Hospital received 19 badly burned bodies, Khaled said.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld  Ahmed Aboud, who runs another balloon company, told NBC News that gas tanks ignited the balloon about 1,000 feet. Two people survived, a tourist and the pilot, Aboud said. Both are in critical condition, the statement from Khaled said.

A health official in Luxor told NBC News that the victims include 9 from Hong Kong, 4 from Japan, 2 from the UK, 2 from France and two others who have not been identified.

NBC News