2 Spanish Tourists Killed in Air Balloon Accident in Türkiye’s Cappadocia

Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Goreme Historical National Park, east of Nevesehir (Neapolis) in the province of the same name in central Türkiye's historical Cappadocia (Kapadokya) region on August 24, 2022. (AFP)
Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Goreme Historical National Park, east of Nevesehir (Neapolis) in the province of the same name in central Türkiye's historical Cappadocia (Kapadokya) region on August 24, 2022. (AFP)
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2 Spanish Tourists Killed in Air Balloon Accident in Türkiye’s Cappadocia

Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Goreme Historical National Park, east of Nevesehir (Neapolis) in the province of the same name in central Türkiye's historical Cappadocia (Kapadokya) region on August 24, 2022. (AFP)
Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Goreme Historical National Park, east of Nevesehir (Neapolis) in the province of the same name in central Türkiye's historical Cappadocia (Kapadokya) region on August 24, 2022. (AFP)

Two Spanish tourists were killed and three were injured on Tuesday when the hot air balloon they were traveling in made a hard landing in Türkiye’s Cappadocia, the local governor's office said.

The hot air balloon had taken off from the district of Avanos at sunrise, the governor of Nevsehir province said.

"During the landing of the balloon, which was carrying 28 passengers and two crew members, two Spanish nationals lost their lives, while three Spanish citizens were injured," he said in a statement.

"The treatment of those injured is continuing in hospitals in our city and they are not life-threatening," it said.

The statement said the accident was caused by an unexpected increase in wind speed, according to initial assessments.

Hot air balloon rides are one of the most popular activities in the Cappadocia region, where they fly over valleys and volcanic "fairy chimney" formations.



Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Dies in an Autogiro Accident

A general view of the Iranian capital Tehran after several explosions were heard, October 26, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters file photo
A general view of the Iranian capital Tehran after several explosions were heard, October 26, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters file photo
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Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Dies in an Autogiro Accident

A general view of the Iranian capital Tehran after several explosions were heard, October 26, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters file photo
A general view of the Iranian capital Tehran after several explosions were heard, October 26, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters file photo

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander and his pilot were killed Monday in an autogiro accident during an operation near the Pakistani border, state TV reported.

The report said that Gen. Hamid Mazandarani died during a military operation in the Sirkan border area, located in Sistan and Baluchistan province.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency said that the crash occurred during a drill.

An autogiro, resembling a helicopter in rotor design but simpler and smaller, is typically used in Iran for pilot training and border monitoring. It is capable of carrying two people.