Pilot killed, 31 injured in two hot air balloon crashes in Turkey

Dubai: A pilot was killed and 31 tourists were injured in two separate hot air balloon crashes on Sunday in central Turkey, local media reported.

The first incident took place in the early morning when a balloon carrying 19 Indonesian tourists encountered a sudden change in wind conditions. The pilot was attempting a difficult landing near the village of Gözlükuyu in Aksaray province when he reportedly fell from the basket and became entangled in the ropes.

“Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died,” Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu confirmed in a statement.

Later the same day, another hot air balloon departing from the same location crashed during landing, leaving 12 people injured. All passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated by emergency responders at the scene.

Hot air ballooning is a popular tourist activity in Turkey, especially in regions like Cappadocia and Aksaray. While generally safe, accidents have occurred in the past due to sudden weather changes, hard landings, or mid-air collisions. Turkish authorities have implemented safety regulations, but unpredictable wind conditions continue to pose occasional risks.

A video from the first crash showed the deflated balloon and the overturned basket on the ground as rescue teams attended to the wounded. Authorities have launched a formal investigation into both incidents.