A hot-air tourist balloon carrying seven people in Peru fell into the Pacific Ocean yesterday, and authorities say they have rescued five women while the craft's pilot and another man remain missing. An official says none of the people on the flight were wearing life jackets. Members of the Peruvian navy, air force, and police searched with helicopters, boats, and jet skis for the missing men throughout the day yesterday.
Authorities say the women survived because they stayed in the balloon's basket, which floated. They have been taken to a naval hospital. The balloon company's manager says strong winds pushed the balloon off its planned route along the coast and out over the Pacific. (More hot air balloon stories.)