TWO Britons were killed and two others are in hospital after an horrific hot air balloon crash in Egypt which has claimed a reported 18 lives.
The four Britons were on holiday with tour operator Thomas Cook.
They were among more than 20 people who were in the balloon which exploded at 1,000ft and crashed to the ground in flames in Luxor today.
Thomas Cook said: “We are working closely with the Foreign Office and the authorities in Egypt and we can confirm that two of our guests are in local hospitals, but tragically two of our guests have died in the hot air balloon incident in Luxor, Egypt this morning.”
Thomas Cook UK and Europe chief executive Peter Fankhauser said: “What happened in Luxor this morning is a terrible tragedy and the thoughts of everyone in Thomas Cook are with our guests, their family and friends.
“We have a very experienced team in resort with the two guests in the local hospital, and we’re providing our full support to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.”
The company said that it was working with local officials and a full investigation would be taking taking place.
“While this investigation is under way, Thomas Cook UK has temporarily suspended sales of hot air balloon rides in Egypt,” the company added.
Thomas Cook UK has opened a hot line for concerned relatives who have guests in resort - 0800 107 5638.
-
Twitter user @chrismichel's aerial picture looking down on a group of tourists as the balloons pass over Luxor
-
Twitter user @chrismichel's picture of the launch site near Luxor in Egypt, prior to a hot air balloon explosion which killed 19 tourists
-
Twitter user @chrismichel's picture of the launch site near Luxor in Egypt, prior to a hot air balloon explosion which killed 19 tourists
-
Photo of the launch site near Luxor in Egypt, prior to a hot air balloon explosion which killed 19 tourists including a number of Britons
-
Photo of the launch site near Luxor in Egypt, prior to a hot air balloon explosion which killed 19 tourists including a number of Britons
-
Rescue workers remove a body from the scene of a balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
Egyptians gather at the site of a balloon crash where the remains of the burned gondola can be seen
-
Egyptians and Luxor Governor Ezzat Saad, fourth left, inspect the scene of the balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
Egyptian rescue workers wait to transport the dead bodies of foreign tourists from the scene of a balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
Egyptian workers collect evidence at the scene of a balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
Egyptian workers collect evidence at the scene of a balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
An Egyptian worker collects evidence near the scene of a balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
Shoes lie on the ground near the scene of where the balloon crashed outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
An Egyptian worker removes evidence near the scene of a balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
-
An Egyptian worker collects evidence near the scene of a balloon crash outside al-Dhabaa village, just west of the city of Luxor
