Hot air balloonists trapped in Syria

I don't think they are the first to fly there.

Wheres Phil Dunnington when you need him he would know, it was probably him.

G

From here
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=47486&in_page_id=34

Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Balloon in the sunset

A group of hot air balloonists are trapped in the Syrian desert after police
confiscated their equipment as they were about to take to the air.

Almost a hundred people, from across the United Kingdom and parts of Europe,
were due to fly across ancient ruins near Palmyra, in what was widely
expected to be a world's first.

But shortly after arriving in Syria, they discovered their 34 balloons,
including baskets and gas canisters, had been seized by local police.

Journalist Rupert Evelyn, who is part of the group explained: "We wanted to
try to become the world's people to ever fly a hot air balloon in Syria.

"There's very strict laws about air space here, and we don't believe
anyone's ever done it before.

"The equipment was shipped out before the group got here. We went to go and
get it and it wasn't there.

"The police have impounded the balloons."

He added: "We've been told the police need to check them out. We don't know
where they are or why, the details are sketchy."

Mr Evelyn said the group have been sitting in the Syrian desert for three
days waiting to see whether they will be reunited with their balloons.

He said: "Everything's up in the air at the moment."

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