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19 dead as tourist balloon explodes at Luxor

By AFP
26 Feb 2013
A balloon exploded as it was flying over Egypt's temple city of Luxor, killing 19 people including tourists. By (AFP)

CAIRO (AFP) - A hot air balloon exploded as it was flying over Egypt's ancient temple city of Luxor on Tuesday, killing 19 people including tourists from Hong Kong, Japan, France and Britain, a security official said.

"Nineteen people died," the official told AFP.

The balloon which was carrying 21 people was flying at 300 metres (yards) over Qurna, in Luxor's West Bank, when it caught fire before exploding, the official said.

The two survivors, including the balloon's pilot, have been taken to hospital, he said.

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