Twelve Indonesian citizens injured in a hot air balloon accident in central Turkey are scheduled to return to Indonesia on Monday night, 16 June 2025.
The accident, which took place in Aksaray Province, not the popular Cappadocia region, occurred on the morning of Sunday, 15 June. The incident claimed one life, that of the Turkish pilot, while 12 of the 19 Indonesian passengers sustained minor injuries.
“The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara has coordinated with local authorities to assist the Indonesian citizens,” said Judha Nugraha, Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He confirmed that assistance was provided to the injured and arrangements were made for their return to Indonesia.
According to Judha, the hot air balloon, carrying 19 Indonesian tourists and one Turkish pilot, crashed due to a sudden and unexpected change in wind direction.
“The accident occurred allegedly due to sudden changes in wind,” he explained in a statement reported by Antara News on Monday.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey, Achmad Rizal Purnama, clarified that the flight did not originate from Cappadocia, a well-known hot air balloon destination.
“This happened in Aksaray, not in Cappadocia. In Cappadocia, it was decided not to fly because of the weather. However, this group still looked for balloons in other places to fly,” he wrote on Monday, 16 June.
Weather Conditions and Alternative Arrangements Cited in Tragic Incident
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that, according to local authorities, balloon flights in Cappadocia were suspended that day due to adverse weather conditions. The group of Indonesian tourists reportedly sought alternatives and eventually took off from Aksaray, near the village of Gözlükuyu, where the crash occurred.
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“The Indonesian Embassy in Ankara has coordinated with local authorities to assist the Indonesian citizens,” Judha reiterated.
“After being hospitalised, the Indonesian citizens have improved their condition and are currently on their way to Istanbul. They are scheduled to return to Indonesia tonight.”
Despite the injuries, all 12 affected Indonesian tourists received appropriate medical attention and have shown signs of recovery. The remaining seven Indonesian citizens on board were unharmed.
Hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia are a popular tourist attraction, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the region’s UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
The area is known for its ancient rock-cut churches and natural erosion formations that create a unique and rugged terrain. However, as this incident illustrates, flight safety remains highly dependent on weather conditions.
The Indonesian authorities continue to monitor the situation and have expressed their condolences for the pilot who lost his life in the crash.
Cover: Photo by Beyza/Pexels
