A tragic hot air balloon accident in central Türkiye on Sunday has left one pilot dead and 19 Indonesian tourists injured, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred near the village of Gözlükuyu in Aksaray province when the balloon was forced into a hard landing due to a sudden change in wind conditions, the governor’s office reported.

Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu stated that during the attempted landing, the pilot fell from the basket and became entangled in a rope. “Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died,” he confirmed. The injured tourists were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Hot air ballooning is a major tourist draw in the region, renowned for the dramatic landscapes of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its “fairy chimneys” — unique rock formations carved by natural erosion over millennia. The area also features ancient cave churches and dwellings that attract thousands of international visitors annually.

Footage from the scene showed a deflated balloon and its basket overturned as emergency responders aided the injured. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash.

In a related incident earlier the same day, another hot air balloon departing from the Ihlara Valley in the same region made a hard landing, slightly injuring 12 Indian tourists. All were taken to hospital for precautionary care.

Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia has previously seen fatal accidents. In 2022, two Spanish tourists died following a hard landing during a sightseeing flight.

Authorities are urging tour operators to review safety protocols as investigations into both incidents continue. (ILKHA)