The French embassy was also trying to ascertain whether French nationals had died in the crash, amid conflicting reports.

In Paris, a diplomatic official said French tourists were among those involved in the accident, but would give no details on how many, or whether French citizens were among those killed.

Officials from the Kuoni Travel Group, organizers of the Luxor trip for the Hong Kong tourists, attend a news conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday. [Photo by Kin Cheung / Associated Press]

French media reports said two French tourists were among the dead but the official wouldn't confirm that.

It was one of the worst accidents involving tourists in Egypt and likely to push the key tourism industry deeper into recession.

Bodies of the dead tourists were scattered across the field around the remnants of the balloon. An Associated Press reporter at the crash site counted eight bodies as they were put into body bags and taken away. The security official said 18 bodies have been recovered.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said foul play has been ruled out. He also said initial reports of 20 dead were revised to 19 as confusion is common in the aftermath of such accidents.

Hot air ballooning, usually at sunrise over the famed Karnak and Luxor temples as well as the Valley of the Kings, is a popular pastime for tourists visiting the area.

The site of the accident has seen past crashes. In 2009, 16 tourists when their balloon struck a cellphone tower. A year earlier, seven tourists were injured in a similar crash.

Reuters - AP - AFP