Balloon mishap in Cappadocia highlights safety concerns for tourists
An accident occurred on Saturday, June 22, during a balloon flight in Cappadocia, Turkey. The balloon, carrying 22 tourists, became stuck between rocks. Fortunately, no one was killed, and all passengers were safely evacuated. A recording of the incident appeared on social media.
Turkey remains extremely popular among tourists, consistently ranking high on top travel destinations. One of the most visited places is central Cappadocia, renowned for its unique monuments and charming landscapes.
Cappadocia is famous for its balloon flights. Almost every day, when weather permits, hundreds of colourful balloons rise at dawn. The flights typically last around an hour, allowing tourists to admire the sunrise over the Red Valley, Rose Valley, and Meskendir.
The balloons rise to about 2,800 to 3,900 feet above sea level, offering breathtaking views.
Balloon accident in Cappadocia: it could have ended tragically
On Saturday, June 22, an incident occurred during a balloon flight, which could have had tragic consequences. "Balloon with tourists fell into the rocks in Turkey. It happened in Cappadocia, in the resort of Gereme. There were 22 people on board the balloon. All of them were evacuated," reported Nexta TV on X. They also shared a recording of the incident. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.
A notable balloon accident in Cappadocia occurred in October 2022. During a flight carrying 28 passengers, two Spanish citizens were killed, and three others were injured.
Fatal accidents during balloon flights in Cappadocia are infrequent. According to the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of Turkey, there have been 12 accidents resulting in three fatalities, all occurring during landings in recent years.
