Tragedy struck in Turkey as one person lost their life and 19 others sustained injuries following a hot air balloon crash. The incident took place near the Ihlara Valley in Aksaray province, according to reports from the Ilhas News Agency.

The pilot tragically passed away, and 19 Indonesian tourists were injured due to a sudden change in wind conditions. The balloon was attempting a hard landing near the village of Gozlukuyu in Aksaray province when the pilot fell out of the basket and became entangled in a rope, as described by Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoglu.

Governor Kumbuzoglu stated, "Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died." The injured tourists were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Another hot air balloon that took off from the same location of Ilhara Valley also experienced a hard landing early on Sunday morning. This incident resulted in injuries to 12 Indian tourists who were also taken to the hospital, as reported by local media.

Hot air ballooning is a popular tourist activity in central Turkey, with attractions such as the iconic "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia. These tall, cone-shaped rock formations have been shaped by natural erosion over thousands of years and are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A video shared by the news agency captured the deflated balloon with its passenger basket lying on its side, while emergency services attended to the injured individuals.