One Dead, 19 Injured as Two Hot Air Balloons Crash in Central Turkey

One person has died and 19 others were injured after two hot air balloons crashed near the Ihlara Valley in Turkey’s central Aksaray province, local media reported on Sunday.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, according to the Ilhas News Agency, which first reported the incident. The region, known for its dramatic landscapes and fairy chimney rock formations in nearby Cappadocia, is a popular destination for hot air balloon tours.

Footage shared by the agency showed one deflated balloon with its passenger basket overturned on the ground, as emergency crews attended to the injured at the scene.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or details on the severity of the injuries sustained.

Hot air ballooning is a major draw for tourists visiting the UNESCO-listed region of central Turkey, where early-morning flights over valleys and volcanic rock formations are a signature experience.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.