Balloon passed recent check before crash
(02-28 17:41)
The hot-air balloon which crashed in flames during a flight above Egypt, killing nine Hong Kong tourists and 10 other people, is reported to have just passed an inspection earlier this month,
Officials also told an Egyptian newspaper that the balloon's licence was not due to expire until next October. Earlier reports said preliminary investigations had found that the balloon was in an "appalling" condition, RTHK reports.
Forensic pathologists and DNA experts from Hong Kong have arrived in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to help with the identification of the remains of the Hong Kong tourists killed.
A senior immigration officer, Barry Lee, said that this was according to the wishes of relatives who have also flown to Egypt to identify the bodies.
A British expert says Egyptian hot-air balloon pilots have very weak training that is "inappropriate to best practice." Phil Donnington, who advises the Egyptian government on safety -- is chairman of the British Balloon and Airship Club.
Donnington has visited Egypt eight times in the past six years to assess balloonists there at the request of the government.
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