Hong Kong police to advise in Luxor balloon tragedy probe
Local force given advisory brief as Egyptian authorities investigate holiday crash in which nine Hongkongers died
Hong Kong police have been given an advisory role in Egypt's investigation into the deadly hot-air balloon crash in Luxor that killed 19 tourists, including nine Hongkongers.
The head of the investigation, Walid el-Moqadem, told Associated Press yesterday that while Hong Kong, would not be sending investigators at present, they had been granted an advisory role - along with Britain, Japan and Hungary. They would also be kept appraised of his progress through e-mails.
Earlier, the Civil Aviation Ministry said the balloon passed a full inspection less than two weeks before it burst into flames.
The ministry added both the pilot, Mohmin Morad, and balloon were licensed and the balloon had been "fully inspected" by aviation authorities over three days from February 13. On Wednesday, Xinhua quoted Luxor security officials saying the balloon was in "appalling condition".
In a statement on its social media website on Wednesday, the ministry added that the balloon, which was made in Spain in 2008 and should have a lifespan of 10 years, was fully insured.
The operator Sky Cruise yesterday said families of victims could receive up to 300,000 Egyptian pounds (HK$344,000) in compensation, but no money could be released before the outcome of aninvestigation.