World

Texas hot air balloon crash: No survivors among 16 on board

July 30, 2016 6:16 pm

A hot air balloon has caught fire and crashed in the US state of Texas, with all 16 on board confirmed dead, the Texas department of safety says.

The balloon came down in fields near Lockhart, about 30 miles (50km) south of the state capital Austin.

Caldwell County sheriff Daniel Law said the basket of the balloon was on fire when emergency crews arrived.

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Videos posted by local media suggest the balloon came down near tall power lines, but the cause is not yet known.

The balloon crashed at about 07:40 (12:40 GMT), officials said.

“It does not appear at this time that there were any survivors of the crash,” the sheriff’s office said.

Local resident Margaret Wylie said she was outside her home when she heard two “pops” which she thought was a gun going off.