A number of Britons were among 19 tourists killed after a hot air balloon exploded and crashed near the Egyptian city of Luxor today.
Two of the Britons involved in a balloon tragedy in have today been named locally as Michael and Yvonne Rennie, of Perth, Scotland.
Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion before seeing plumes of smoke as the balloon caught fire and plunged into a sugar cane field west of Luxor, which is 320 miles (510km) south of the capital Cairo.
The casualties are believed to include British and French tourists, as well as other nationalities, a security official in the country said.
A spokesman for air balloon tour operator Sky Cruise said there were two survivors, including the pilot, who is in a serious condition in hospital. He said it was believed there were “about four” Britons on board.
Witness Christopher Michel described the carnage on Twitter, where he posted a series of photographs showing the balloons ahead of the flight.
He said: “It was the balloon behind mine. I heard a loud explosion and saw smoke.”
Mr Michel, who previously made a balloon excursion with an English pilot, said the Egyptian operation “didn’t feel quite as professional” as that of his first voyage.
The US photographer was taking aerial photographs at the time of the crash.
He told the BBC: “We flew over the ancient ruins. Just before landing in the cornfields, I heard an explosion and saw smoke. I think it was the balloon behind mine.
“I wasn’t sure what had happened at first. It was only when we landed we heard the full extent of what happened.”
He added: “It’s really, really tragic and everyone involved is in a lot of shock.”
Hamdy Shabaan, operations manager at another operator, Sinbad hot air balloons, said the basket was on fire when it fell to the ground.
A spokesman for UK travel organisation Abta said: “We are aware that there have been a number of injuries and fatalities including British nationals … It is understood that at least 20 people were on board the flight, although it has not yet been confirmed how many of these are British nationals.
“We are working with our members, the Foreign Office and the Egyptian authorities to ascertain more details about the incident. We will issue further information once it becomes available.”
Specialist tour operator Discover Egypt said none of its holidaymakers was involved.
A company spokesman added: “As a precautionary measure, Discover Egypt will not be offering its clients any hot air balloon excursions until a full and thorough investigation of today’s incident has been made.”
Photo courtesy of Twitter user @chrismichel.