At Least 16 Die in Crash of Hot Air Balloon in Texas

At least 16 people were killed early Saturday morning in the crash of a hot air balloon in Texas, officials said.

A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said the balloon caught fire during its flight and crashed into a pasture, killing all aboard.

Local authorities were trying to confirm the identities of the victims. The FAA was investigating, and officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were also on their way to the scene.

A spokesman for the NTSB confirmed that the crash resulted in a «significant loss of life.» He also said there would be a «significant investigation into this tragedy,» involving local, state and federal authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The crash took place in an area of farmland about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Austin, the state capital.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott acknowledged the crash in a statement, calling on «all of Texas to join us in praying for those lost.»