Tourists Missing over the Pacific

In Lima, the Peruvian Minister of Tourism Mr. Pedraza sharply criticized balloon owner Globos Peru SAC, accusing it of "grave negligence" for not requiring their tourist passengers to wear life vests on the flight over the Pacific.

A balloon, carrying six tourists and a pilot, was declared missing on Sunday morning (local time). Authorities believed it had fallen into the sea about 200 kilometers south of Lima in rough weather, but said the chance of survivors was high because the basket could float. Local media quoted interior minister Wilfredo Pedraza as saying five women were found alive, floating in the sea with the remains of the balloon.

He also lashed out at Globos for failing to outfit the balloon with a GPS system so that it could be tracked. Mr. Pedraza said Peruvian navy units were continuing to search the area for the two people who were still missing, including the pilot. At least one of the male passengers tried to swim to shore, so the search area has widened. The women were being treated in hospital.