plaintiff:
  - N/A (Coroner's Inquest)

defendant:
  - N/A (Coroner's Inquest)

case_reason: Coroner's inquest into the deaths of nine Hong Kong citizens who died during a hot air balloon ride in Luxor, Egypt on 26 February 2013. The inquest examined the cause of death and circumstances connected with the deaths, including the hot air balloon fire that occurred during landing procedures.

judgment_summary: This inquest concerned the deadliest hot air ballooning disaster in history, resulting in 19 deaths, 9 of whom were Hong Kong citizens on a Kuoni Travel tour. On 26 February 2013, a hot air balloon caught fire during landing procedures over Luxor City. The investigation found the probable cause was a hose fuel leak at the upper portion of the forward right hose connected to burner number 193, which ignited and caused major injury to the pilot who was unable to control the fire. Contributing factors included inadequate maintenance procedures and the hose's accumulated high flight hours since 2005. The coroner found all deaths were caused by multiple injuries and burns, concluding they were deaths by accident. The inquest also examined issues regarding travel insurance coverage, risk assessment by travel companies, information provided to tourists about activity risks, and the selection and supervision of local service providers.

jurisdiction_code: HKCRC

jurisdiction_name: Coroner's Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

case_location: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

case_object:
  - Coroner's inquest
  - Hot air balloon accident
  - Deaths by accident
  - Travel safety
  - Risk assessment and disclosure

judgment_result:
  - charge: Inquest into deaths of HO Oi-hing, HO Oi-ying, HO Oi-ming, TANG Yuk-ling, SIU Chi-man, KWAN Pui-man Eleni, POON Lau-tim, TO Sau-ching, and POON Tak-sze
    result: Deaths by accident - all nine deceased died from multiple injuries and burns sustained during hot air balloon fire in Luxor, Egypt on 26 February 2013

involved_entities:
  - entity_name: June Cheung
    reason: Coroner who presided over the inquest and delivered the inquisition
  - entity_name: HO Oi-hing, HO Oi-ying, HO Oi-ming, TANG Yuk-ling, SIU Chi-man, KWAN Pui-man Eleni, POON Lau-tim, TO Sau-ching, POON Tak-sze
    reason: The nine deceased Hong Kong citizens who died in the hot air balloon accident
  - entity_name: Kuoni Travel
    reason: Travel company that organized the Egypt tour and offered the hot air balloon ride as an optional activity
  - entity_name: Paradise Travel
    reason: Destination Management Company (DMC) engaged by Kuoni for the Egypt tour arrangements
  - entity_name: Egyptian Airship and Balloon-Sky Cruise Company (Sky Cruise)
    reason: Local hot air balloon service provider chosen by Paradise Travel
  - entity_name: Momen Murad Ali Hussein
    reason: Pilot of the hot air balloon, aged 29, who survived with serious burn injuries
  - entity_name: Wilson AU
    reason: Tour escort from Kuoni Travel who accompanied the deceased
  - entity_name: LAU Tak ping
    reason: Senior manager of Kuoni Travel responsible for product designing and tour planning
  - entity_name: Mr. Chadwick
    reason: General Aviation Flight Standard Officer (Balloon Operations) from UK Civil Aviation Authority who provided expert evidence
  - entity_name: Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation
    reason: Issued the AAIC investigation report in December 2013 on the accident
  - entity_name: Travel Industry Council (TIC)
    reason: Hong Kong travel industry regulatory body whose chairman Joseph Tung testified
  - entity_name: Spanish Civil Aviation Commission of Accidents (CIAIAC)
    reason: Accredited representative from Spain in the Egyptian investigation
