Egyptian officials say a sightseeing balloon carrying foreign tourists over the southern city of Luxor has crash landed, killing one tourist and injuring twelve.
The officials say Friday's incident was caused by strong winds that forced the balloon off its course above the city's pharaonic temples and tombs.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said in a statement it was providing consular assistance to several Australians involved in the horrific accident.
A South African tourist was killed and 12 other people were injured when a hot air balloon crashed near Egypt's ancient city of Luxor on Friday, a health ministry official said.
Sharif Wadie, the assistant health minister in charge of emergency services, told AFP there were no other casualties but did not elaborate on the extent of the passengers' injuries.
Egypt's civil aviation ministry said 21 hot air balloons had taken off and landed with no incident on Friday but the one that crashed had landed too forcefully.
Twenty people had been on board, it said, adding that weather conditions had conformed to flight standards.
Hot air balloon incidents have occurred in the past over ancient Luxor.
In 2013, 19 foreign tourists were killed when their balloon caught fire. In 2016, Egypt temporarily halted balloon flights after 22 Chinese tourists suffered minor injuries in a crash landing of their hot air balloon.
Since then, balloon rides are monitored by cameras and banned from flying above 20,000 metres.
Tourists often take early morning hot air balloon rides over the city and the ancient Egyptian temples and relics in neighbouring areas.
According to the Egyptian Health Ministry, a 36-year-old female was killed and 12 others of various nationalities were injured. Source: AAP
One of the main attractions is the Karnak temple, which dates back thousands of years.
The hot air balloons also offer views of the Valley of the Kings, where pharaonic nobility were buried.
Hot air balloon companies in Luxor offer the tours usually starting at sunrise.
- Additional reporting Natasha Christian and AFP
