Dozens of people have been injured after three hot air balloons were forced to make emergency landings in central Turkey.

The balloons were carrying European and Chinese tourists over the mountainous Cappadocia region when winds suddenly picked up, according to state-run news agency Dogan.

Nine of the 49 people who were hurt were treated for fractured bones, while the rest suffered minor injuries.

The pilot of one of the balloons told Dogan that after take-off there was "a departure from the meteorological data" followed by "winds of rain".

Image: Cappadocia is known for its volcanic rock formations. Pic: File

He said: "We had a hard landing near the Sofular Village in Urgup District, where the balloons drifted out of control.


"There has not been any pilotage error. We call it 'air bombing'."

Cappadocia is a popular area for hot air balloon tours and is known for its volcanic rock formations, underground cities and churches carved into mountainsides.

Last month, a Danish tourist was killed in the region when a hot air balloon made an emergency landing.

Dogan said the tourist fell out of the balloon after letting go of a handle in a moment of "absent mindedness".