Dutch tourists leave China after fatal hot-air balloon crash

GUILIN, Guangxi, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- A tourist group from the Netherlands left China Thursday, earlier than its schedule, due to the hot-air balloon crash that killed four members and injured the tour guide Wednesday.

The 18-member group came to China on Sept. 25, and is due to leave on Oct. 16, according to the original agenda. Its destinations included Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Yunnan and Yangshuo between Sept. 26 to Oct. 15.

However, four members died after their hot-air balloon crashed Wednesday morning during a flight in Yangshuo, a famous scenic spot in Guilin city, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China.

The hot-air balloon caught fire and crashed after the leakage of the balloon's gas tank. An initial investigation showed the balloon was flying beyond the distance and height limit set by local authorities.

The Dutch tour guide and two Chinese pilots were injured.

Antonius L.M. Van Zeeland, the consul-general of the Dutch consulate in the southern city of Guangzhou expected the Chinese government to provide a detailed written document on the cause of the accident and return the bodies to the Netherlands as soon as possible.

Niek Haarman, deputy Consul General with the Consulate in Guangzhou, said Thursday that he was satisfied with China's rescue efforts and the handling of aftermath.

Haarman, who arrived in Yangshuo Wednesday afternoon with some other officials for the accident, left Guilin Thursday afternoon.

The four bodies were being kept at the Guilin Municipal Morgue and are expected to be sent back home after the Dutch side, insurance companies and international organizations going through necessary procedures.