埃及热气球爆炸坠毁案

An initial Egyptian probe into a hot air balloon crash that killed at least 19 tourists in Egypt has ruled out any criminal action as a cause of the accident. The preliminary findings of the investigation shows "no suspicion of criminal activity."

Four investigating teams were formed after Prime Minister Hisham Qandil ordered a probe into Tuesday’s balloon crash. According to the investigating teams, the company that operates the balloon rides, Sky Cruise, had passed a routine inspection by the Civil Aviation Ministry on February 13th to the 15th.

Civil Aviation Minister Wael al-Maadawi said he had agreed to a request by British authorities to attend the probe.

On Wednesday, families of the Hong Kong victims flew in to Cairo, where the bodies of the dead tourists had been transported to a forensic institute. Nine tourists from Hong Kong were believed to be among the crash victims.