Beijing urged to tighten controls over hot-air balloons after tragedy in Egypt

In the wake of the tragedy in Egypt, the mainland's biggest hot-air balloon club is urging the government to take steps to stop illegal flights and balloon manufacturing in China.

Cheng Peng , general manager of the club based in Tianjin , told the South China Morning Post that there were nearly 100 active hot-air balloon clubs on the mainland, but only four or five were licensed to train pilots and organise flights.

Additionally, he said, materials were often illegally made and did not meet safety standards. Fuel tanks, for instance, may leak or even explode after a few years due to manufacturing flaws or cheap materials.

"We are deeply concerned by the recklessness of some unlicensed clubs and illegal manufacturers," Cheng said. "We sincerely hope that the government treats the Egyptian accident as seriously as a domestic accident and takes decisive measures to bring order … to the industry."

In October 2009, a balloon caught fire and crashed in Yangshuo , Guangxi , killing four Dutch tourists and injuring three. A gas leak was blamed.

Afterwards, government agencies - including the Civil Aviation Administration, local public security bureau, transport administration and tourism bureau - passed the blame back and forth, as there were no laws or regulations to say who should be held accountable, Cheng said.