The Deadliest Hot Air Balloon Accident Ever | Short Documentary | Luxor, Egypt 2013

The 2013 Luxor Balloon Accident in Egypt remains the most deadly ballooning mishap in history and the worst aerostat accident since the Hindenburg disaster.

[Tony]

When the pilot jumps out, you know you're doomed...

[Scraggledust]

I’ll always jump vs burning alive. I can’t imagine how utterly and completely devastating it must’ve been, in that falling fire trap. RIP to them all

[IntrepidFraidyCat]

What a horrendous choice to make in a split second. It must have been terrifying.

[davidhynd]

I hadn't heard of this accident before. It's a measure of how horrific the conditions in the balloon had become that a 300 metre fall would seem preferable to staying in the basket.

[-greentoad]

You're 10 feet from the ground and thinking all is well, and you're having a safe landing, not knowing what's about to happen. So very sad.

[JamesTKirk-yzng]

No hot air balloons, no scuba diving, no cave exploration, no bungee jumping, stay safe and stay alive

[rockingrandmaof]

There's nothing you could do to get me into one of those.

[hmpp]

Can’t imagine the terror these people suffered before jumping to their death or being burnt alive. Not only the balloon basket caught fire, there were also loud explosions which could be heard miles away.

[BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I wouldn't go in a hot air balloon if I was paid in gold.

[FinnishLapphund]

The spouse who survived was lucky to react so quickly, yet, at the same time unlucky, because their loved one died, and I presume they must've gone through so many what-ifs afterwards. Why didn't I pull them with me, could I've shouted something to them to convince them to also take the jump, why didn't I push them out first...

[sussell]

Many years ago, when we travelled to Luxor, our tourist group was offered the early morning balloon ride. After having been in Egypt for about a week, there was no way we were going to put our lives into the hands of these dudes. Unfortunately, the Egyptian male’s idea of safety left a lot to be desired. Plus it was very obvious that there were many power lines in the area where the flight was to take place.

[rockingrandmaof]

Once again, it's all about the $$$. Maintenance issues were sadly neglected 😳

[wjatube]

A hot air balloon struck power lines here in the US and caught fire. Rapid ascension followed and all three on board burned to death. This happens far more than we know.

[jasongoodacre]

This is why you should keep your wits about you at all times. If a fire starts in a balloon basket and you're only 10 feet off the ground, why would you not jump??

[clare]

We were tried to be persuaded to book this trip when we were there years ago. I was a young teenager with my parents and my father was dying to go, but my mum was too scared and so we didn’t and now I’m very glad.

[Robert-tsze]

No brakes, no steering wheel ....no way !

[divinita]

I remember watching this and couldn't remember which choice had the most survivors.

[Mamadukee]

Years ago I was in Luxor, and we were deciding if we could afford to go on this extra trip, but alas we didn't really have the money, now I'm glad we didn't

[anja]

I think I would have taken lead of the pilot, not that I would ever get into a hot air balloon and unlike him, encouraged others to do so. Landing on top of him too prevent him escaping for not attempting too be a good captain.

[joannewilson]

Can’t imagine having to make that choice…and it happened so fast…rip