The pilot of a hot air balloon was killed, and 12 tourists injured on Thursday 12 April after it crashed on an island in South Korea.
The aircraft, which took off at about 7:40 a.m. local time (2240 GMT Wednesday) from an area in the southern resort island of Jeju, crashed into a hill near the city of Seogwipo on Jeju Island, about 30 minutes later.
Firefighters were alerted to the incident by a witness who was collecting edible wild plants at the time of the crash.
The pilot, who suffered a cardiac arrest, was rushed to a hospital but was later pronounced dead, said firefighters.
The 12 passengers were also taken to hospitals.
The hot air balloon, which was operated by Oreum Hot Air Tour, was heading to a ranch in the city.
While investigations are underway to find the cause of the accident, authorities believe that the aircraft collided with a tree and lost altitude while it was landing.
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Asia Pacific Fire, Editor
