Egypt restarts hot air balloon rides, weeks after deadly accident

A senior civil aviation official says Egypt has resumed hot air balloon sightseeing flights in the ancient city of Luxor in southern Egypt, weeks after a fiery accident.

Authorities suspended flights after 19 tourists were killed on Feb. 26 when their balloon caught fire and crashed in a sugar cane field.

Mohammed Ibrahim Sherif, head of the civil aviation authority, said a hot air balloon was launched in Luxor Sunday after safety and operation measures and regulations required by his office were implemented. He said five companies have been allowed to resume the flights.

One British tourist survived, along with the pilot of the balloon. Both were injured.

Ballooning experts believe the February accident was the worst in the sport's 200-year history.