Two Brazilians killed in balloon crash in Turkey’s Cappadocia

NEVŞEHİR

Two balloons collided in the touristic region of Cappadocia, causing one of the balloons to crash to the ground. AA photo

Two Brazilian tourists were killed and 23 more were wounded when two balloons collided in the touristic region of Cappadocia, causing one of the balloons to crash to the ground, according to Nevşehir Gov. Abdurrahman Savaş.

The tourists were identified as 71-year-old Maria Luiza Gomes, who died at the scene, and 65-year-old Mariua Rosas, who died in hospital after the crash, according to Doğan News Agency.

The balloons crashed into each other midair at around 6 a.m. One of the balloons lost its bearings, causing it to fall near the Ortahisar area of Ürgüp.

One of the wounded tourists were identified as the Spanish Agujda Oyada Aristu, who underwent surgery due to broken bones in his legs, according to daily Hürriyet.

The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals in Nevşehir. Reporters are being kept away from the crash site as investigations continue in the area, Doğan News Agency reported.

Nevşehir Mayor Hasan Ünver said the balloon sector would not be affected by the accident, adding that he would continue to fly tomorrow.

“These [accidents] are very ordinary incidents. More people die while doing parachuting or rafting. The risks are lower in the balloon sector,” he said.

Ünver also told private station TGRT that all necessary checks were always conducted in Turkey.

He also said no reservations had been canceled following the accident.