SIEM REAP, Cambodia, March 28 (UPI) -- A hot air balloon crashed in Cambodia, injuring nine people, officials said.
The crash happened Tuesday in Siem Reap, The Phnom Penh Post reported.
A police officer, who asked to not be named, said the balloon, operated by Cambodian Flight Holiday International Travel, made a hard landing in a rice paddy after being blown off course by a strong gust of wind.
"According to an eyewitness, this balloon was about to land before there was a high wind, just only (16 feet) above the ground," the officer said. "When the wind came suddenly, it threw the balloon into a palm tree in a paddy field, causing nine tourists to be injured."
One tourist was seriously injured, while the others were slightly injured, the officer said.
A Cambodia Flight Holiday employee, however, denied that the balloon crashed, saying, "We landed on time before the gusty wind came. Two passengers just received minor injuries but I would like to confirm that our balloon did not fall down."
