A hot-air balloon crashed on landing in New Zealand, injuring 11 passengers, two of them seriously. The accident occurred on Friday morning near Queenstown on the South Island. During the approach, the balloon was suddenly caught by a gust of wind and the basket with the passengers hit an embankment. Rescue helicopters took two passengers to hospital in critical condition. All occupants are said to have been New Zealanders, dpa reported. The authorities launched an investigation into the exact cause of the accident.