An initial investigation into the hot air balloon crash that killed up to 19 tourists in Egypt, including three Britons, has ruled out any criminal activity as a cause of the accident, according to reports.
official news agency MENA, citing preliminary findings of the investigation into the accident at the ancient city of Luxor said: “Investigations so far by the general prosecution show no suspicion of criminal activity.” Four investigating teams were formed after Hisham Qandil, the prime minister,ordered a probe into the crash that killed tourists from Hong Kong, Japan, France, Britain and Hungary.
Investigators inspected the scene of the crash in the dense sugar cane fields of Luxor, spoke to witnesses and residents and reviewed the operating company’s paperwork and licences. According to one of the investigating teams, the balloon company, Sky Cruise, had passed a routine inspection by the Civil Aviation Ministry on February 13-15, said MENA.
Civil Aviation Minister Wael al-Maadawi said, meanwhile, that he had agreed to a request by British authorities to attend the probe.