Chinese nationals injured in Turkey hot air balloon accident

An injured tourist receives treatment in Versa Hospital, in Nevsehir, Turkey, on June 26, 2015. Eighteen foreign tourists were injured when a hot air balloon hard landed in central Turkey on Friday, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported. [Photo/Xinhua]

ANKARA/ISTANBUL - Eighteen foreign tourists were injured when a hot air balloon hard landed in central Turkey on Friday, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported.

The hot air balloon hit the electric wire between Ortahisar and Uzengi Mustafapasa towns in Cappadocia region of Nevsehir province in central Turkey. The engine of the air balloon caught fire after hard landing, according to the report.

The report also said the balloon took off with a 20-person group in the early morning hours before making the hard landing.

The Chinese embassy in the capital Ankara has confirmed that among the injured foreign tourists were Chinese nationals. The embassy is making contacts with local officials for further information.

The embassy told Xinhua that the injured were rushed to hospitals in Nevsehir, as an investigation into the accident is underway.

So far, the reason behind accident is not yet known and initial reports said that some gas, which allows the balloon to ascend, escaped when the basket hit the ground causing the craft to catch fire.

Last December, a Chinese tourist was killed and some others injured when a hot air balloon crashed in Cappadocia. In May 2013, local media reported that three Brazilians died when two balloons collided.