Recent fatal hot air balloon crashes
Saturday's hot air balloon crash in central Texas is feared to have left 16 people dead. If confirmed it would be the deadliest such accident in the United States on record. Here is a rundown of recent deadly hot air balloon incidents: -United States (July 30, 2016): A hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people catches fire and crashes in the state of Texas, just south of the capital city Austin. Several hours later federal officials confirm "a number of fatalities," while local police say there were likely not survivors. -EGYPT (February 26, 2013): A hot air balloon catches fire and crashes, killing 19 tourists -- from Great Britain, France, Hungary, Japan and Hong Kong -- near the southern city Luxor during a sunrise flight. The pilot and one tourist survive by jumping from the balloon. An official report concludes that the accident was probably caused by a gas leak. - SLOVENIA (August 23, 2012): Six people, including a child, are killed when a balloon crashes near Ljubljana after hitting a tree and catching fire as the pilot loses control due to strong winds. - NEW ZEALAND (January 7, 2012) Eleven people are killed when a hot air balloon hits a power line and bursts into flames on a pleasure flight near Carterton, north of the capital Wellington. The pilot was under the influence of cannabis, an official report says. -CHINA (October 14, 2009): Four Dutch tourists die when their balloon catches fire and crashes in Yangshuo, a favorite spot for tourists in southern China. -FRANCE (August 26, 2001): Six people including a child, are killed when their balloon touches a power line at Verrens-Arvey, southeastern France. -GERMANY (June 17, 1999): Four passengers in a hot air balloon are killed after hitting a power line, near Ibbenburen, western Germany. -SWITZERLAND (January 31, 1996): Strong winds dash a balloon into a mountainside at a height of 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) in the Bernese Alps, killing five Germans. -GERMANY: (January 16, 1994): A balloon bursts into flames during a landing accident near Mosbach, southwestern Germany, and three people are killed. -UNITED STATES (August 8, 1993): A balloon hits a power line near Aspen, Colorado, tearing off the basket and sending it plummeting 100 feet (30 meters) to the ground. Six people are killed. -AUSTRIA (October 6, 1990): Four people are killed in a balloon crash at Gaenserndorf, near Vienna.
