A hot air balloon crashed near the Egyptian town of Luxor killing 19 tourists, early Tuesday morning.

"There were 20 passengers aboard," Ahmed Aboud, a representative of balloon firms in Luxor, told Reuters. "An explosion happened and 19 passengers died. One tourist and the pilot survived."

NBC News reports that Luxor health officials are saying the victims of the hot air balloon crash includes nine tourists from Hong Kong, four from Japan, two from the United Kingdom and two from France, with two yet to be identified.

The hot balloon was flying over fields west of Luxor, 1,000 feet above the ground when it caught on fire and exploded, according to the BBC.

U.S. photographer Christopher Michel was in a different hot air balloon close by taking photos. He witnessed the fiery crash.

"We flew over the ancient ruins. Just before landing in the cornfields, I heard an explosion and saw smoke," Michel told the BBC.  "I think it was the balloon behind mine."

A popular tourist destination, Luxor is located on the Nile River and home to some of Egypt's most famous ruins.

Tourists commonly ride in hot air balloons near Luxor to see the Karnak temple or the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

In April 2009, a similar hot air balloon crash killed 16, including two British tourists.