The Latest: Site of hot air balloon crash under power lines
By Associated Press
Jul 30, 2016 12:12 PM CDT

LOCKHART, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the hot air balloon that crashed in Central Texas (all times local):

12:10 p.m.

The site of a hot air balloon crash in Central Texas appears to be directly under large power lines.

Authorities have said there are likely no survivors after a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught fire and crashed near Lockhart on Saturday morning.

The land near the crash site is mostly farmland, with corn crops and grazing cattle.

Cutting through that farmland is a row of massive, high-capacity transmission lines, and the site of the crash appears to be right below the overhead lines.

Authorities are investigating the crash, and have not yet provided further details. A large number of law enforcement personnel is at the scene.

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12 p.m.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says in a statement that he and the first lady are extending their condolences following a hot air balloon crash in which authorities say there are likely no survivors.

Abbott said in a statement Saturday that he and his wife, Cecilia Abbott, "extend our deepest condolences" for those affected" by the "heartbreaking tragedy."

Authorities have said there are likely no survivors after a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught fire and crashed near Lockhart on Saturday morning.

Abbott says he and his wife's thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, as well as the Lockhart community. He says, "The investigation into the cause of this tragic accident will continue, and I ask all of Texas to join us in praying for those lost."

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11:05 a.m.

Authorities say it is likely there are no survivors after a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught on fire and crashed in Central Texas.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Saturday that investigators are determining the number of victims and their identities.

Lynn Lunsford with the Federal Aviation Administration said in an earlier statement that the accident happened shortly after 7:40 a.m. Saturday near Lockhart, Texas, when the hot air balloon crashed into a pasture. Lunsford said there were at least 16 people on board.

Lunsford said that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are going to the scene to investigate.

Lockhart is about 30 miles south of Austin.