A tragic hot air balloon accident in central Turkey’s Aksaray province on Sunday left one pilot dead and injured a total of 31 tourists, local officials reported. The accident occurred during tourist flights launched from the scenic Ihlara Valley, a popular destination known for its breathtaking landscapes and hot air balloon tours.
The first accident took place near Gözlukuyu village when a sudden change in wind conditions caused the hot air balloon to attempt a hard landing. According to Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu, the pilot fell out of the balloon’s basket during the descent after his feet became entangled in a rope. “Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died,” Governor Kumbuzoğlu confirmed.
The balloon was carrying 19 tourists from Indonesia at the time of the crash. All injured passengers were quickly transported to nearby hospitals by ambulance, where they continue to receive medical care. Fortunately, none of the injuries have been reported as life-threatening.
In a separate, apparently unrelated incident, another hot air balloon that also took off from Ihlara Valley made a hard landing near Belisırma village in the Güzelyurt district. This accident resulted in minor injuries to 12 tourists from India, who were also hospitalized for observation and treatment.
Footage from Ilhas News Agency showed one of the deflated balloons with its basket lying on its side, as emergency responders provided assistance to the injured at the scene. Turkish authorities have launched a full investigation into both incidents.
Hot air ballooning remains one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions, offering panoramic views over central Turkey’s unique geological formations, including the famous “fairy chimneys” of nearby Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rugged landscape, dotted with ancient cave churches and towering rock formations, draws visitors from around the world for scenic balloon flights.
In a similar incident in 2022, two Spanish tourists were killed when a balloon made a hard landing during a sightseeing tour over Cappadocia.
