Egypt resumes hot air balloon rides
Egypt has resumed hot air balloon sightseeing in Luxor, almost two months after 19 people were killed in an accident which led authorities to suspend the flights.
Mohammed Ibrahim Sherif, head of the civil aviation authority, said the first hot air balloon was launched after safety measures required by his office were implemented.
He said five out of seven companies have been allowed to resume flights.
Luxor governor Ezzat Saad, who boarded the first balloon with several British, Australian and Arab tourists, said he was pleased with the resumption, and considers the sport "one of the most important touristic aspects of the city".
Authorities suspended flights after 19 tourists were killed on February 26 when their balloon caught fire and crashed in a sugar cane field.
One British tourist survived, along with the balloon’s pilot although both were injured.
The tourists – from Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, Belgium and France – were travelling on a sunrise flight over Luxor’s dramatic pharaonic sites and desert landscape.
Mr Sherif said investigations into the cause of the February crash were still ongoing and may take another five weeks, reports the Express.
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