Photographer captures serenity moments before hot air balloon crashes in Egypt Two of the eight balloons before the tragedy. Picture: Christopher Michel Source: Supplied A PHOTOGRAPHER that witnessed the hot air balloon tragedy in Egypt has posted an image taken moments before the accident with the words: "This is how I prefer to remember yesterday." San Francisco-based freelance photographer Christopher Michel was taking aerial photos from another balloon when catastrophe struck. The ill-fated balloon was flying over the ancient city of Luxor when it caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field, killing 19 people. The casualties included French, British and Japanese tourists. GALLERY: More of Christopher Michel's pictures from Luxor Warning: disturbing images. A deadly air balloon accident in Egypt was caught on amateur camera. Vision courtesy Al Jazeera TV. Today as family and friends come to terms with the loss of their loved ones, Michel relived the calm and serenity of the flight before the tragedy. "I'm a freelance photographer and was shooting the ancient temples of Luxor from the balloon," Michel told News Limited. It was a smoky morning as the sun rose across the Nile. Incredible beauty harshly juxtaposed with terrible tragedy. The picture captures two of the eight balloons flying that morning. It was taken just a few minutes before the tragedy. The photographer was unable to confirm whether one of the two balloons captured in the photo is the one that crashed. Michel, who previously made a balloon excursion with an English pilot, yesterday said the Egyptian operation "didn't feel quite as professional" as that of his first voyage. He told the BBC: "We flew over the ancient ruins.