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1 Killed and 19 Injured as Hot Air Balloons Crash in Central Türkiye

Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Göreme Historical National Park in the Cappadocia region, Nevsehir, central Türkiye, Aug. 24, 2022. (AFP)
Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Göreme Historical National Park in the Cappadocia region, Nevsehir, central Türkiye, Aug. 24, 2022. (AFP)
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1 Killed and 19 Injured as Hot Air Balloons Crash in Central Türkiye

Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Göreme Historical National Park in the Cappadocia region, Nevsehir, central Türkiye, Aug. 24, 2022. (AFP)
Sight-seeing hot air balloons launch in Göreme Historical National Park in the Cappadocia region, Nevsehir, central Türkiye, Aug. 24, 2022. (AFP)

Two hot air balloons crashed in central Türkiye on Sunday, leaving one person dead and 19 injured, according to local media reports.

The accident occurred near the Ihlara Valley in Aksaray province, the private Ilhas News Agency and other outlets said. It was not immediately clear why the hot air balloons crashed.

Hot air ballooning is a popular tourist activity over the rugged landscape of central Türkiye, which is dotted with ancient churches hewn into cliff faces. The attractions include the “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia, tall, cone-shaped rock formations created by natural erosion over thousands of years that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Video from Ilhas showed one deflated balloon, its passenger basket lying on its side, as emergency services tended to injured people.

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Unusual Bee Attack in French Town Leaves 24 Injured, 3 Critically

A bee sits on a flower that is planted to decorate at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, Sunday, June 29, 2025.(AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
A bee sits on a flower that is planted to decorate at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, Sunday, June 29, 2025.(AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
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Unusual Bee Attack in French Town Leaves 24 Injured, 3 Critically

A bee sits on a flower that is planted to decorate at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, Sunday, June 29, 2025.(AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
A bee sits on a flower that is planted to decorate at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, Sunday, June 29, 2025.(AP Photo/Joanna Chan)

A unusual attack by bees in the French town of Aurillac has left 24 people injured, including three in critical condition, according to local authorities.

The Prefecture of Cantal, in south-central France, said passersby were stung over a period of about 30 minutes on Sunday morning. Firefighters and medical teams were rushed to the scene to treat the victims while police set up a security perimeter until the bees stopped their attack.

The three people in critical condition were evacuated to a local hospital, The Associated Press reported.

Pierre Mathonier, the mayor of Aurillac, told French broadcaster France 3 the incident may have been related to Asian hornets threatening beehives that had been installed on the roof terrace of a downtown hotel over 10 years ago. He said that this had likely caused the bees to become aggressive.

“All ended well,” he said. "The emergency services were perfectly coordinated. There was no panic in Aurillac, but a number of people were stung.”