Yagami Website

A search party of hundreds hunted for a hot-air balloon that had been reported catching fire and crashing in southern China, arriving in time to save only three of the seven people aboard.

Four Dutch tourists died in the crash Wednesday in Guilin, a popular tourist spot, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The pilots of the balloon took off from Yangshuo County, then lost control of the craft, the agency reported. Government officials dispatched 400 searchers to find the balloon, which had caught fire at some point.

The two pilots and one other Dutch tourist survived the crash.

After the crash, all hot-air balloon businesses were suspended in the area as officials conducted a safety overhaul