British, French and Japanese nationals are reported to be among 19 tourists killed in a hot air balloon crash near the southern Egyptian city of Luxor, the BBC reports.
The balloon was flying at 1,000 ft when it caught fire and exploded, plunging onto fields west of Luxor, officials said.
Two people, including the balloon’s pilot, reportedly survived the crash.
Luxor lies on the banks of the River Nile and is home to some of Egypt’s most famous pharaonic-era ruins.
Hot air ballooning at dawn is a popular way for tourists to see Luxor’s famous sites, such as Karnak temple and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
