16 tourists injured in Egypt balloon crash

Official: At least one American among victims as aircraft hits phone tower

updated 6:28 a.m. ET April 25, 2009 cnbc

CAIRO - A hot air balloon crash over Egypt’s ancient temple city of Luxor injured 16 tourists Saturday, a security official said.

The balloon struck a cell phone transmission tower near Gourna village on the west bank of the Nile.

The injured tourists, who came from France, England, Denmark, U.S., Canada and South Korea, were taken to Luxor hospital for treatment, the official said.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Hot air ballooning, usually at sunrise over the Karnak and Luxor temples as well as the Valley of the Kings, is a popular pastime in the city.

In April 2008, seven tourists were injured in a similar crash.