Nine Injured in Balloon Crash Near Angkor Wat

PHNOM PENH - Nine foreign tourists were seriously injured near the temples of Angkor Wat on Tuesday, when the hot air balloon they had been aboard for sightseeing crashed in high wind, witnesses and police said.

The air balloon had reached an altitude of 300 meters when a strong wind pushed it down and into a palm tree, police said.

Three Russians, two Ukrainians, two Chinese and two Filipinos were aboard, along with a pilot, said one policeman, who spoke on condition of anonymity. All were rescued but they remain in serious condition at a nearby hospital, the policeman said.

“The wind hit it, and it hit a palm tree in the village of Areak Svay,” he said.

A witness near the crash confirmed that the balloon had gone done in the wind.

The Sokha Hotel, which operates the balloon, could not be reached for comment.

Pat Sambo, head of the Federation of Tourism Unions, said there have been “several” smaller crashes since the balloon began operations, flying tourists up to view the sunset or overlook the city of Siem Reap.

“My boss recommends absolutely not to advise tourists to take [the balloon], for their safety,” he said.

Sourced: voacambodia