Russia
Coming back down to earth after setting a new world record.
Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov has landed safely in West Australia – after circumnavigating the world solo in a hot air balloon.
The 64-year-old emerged after spending more than 11 days in the air – and expressed his appreciation for the smell of earth, saying “how wonderful it is.”
Konyukhov smashed the previous record of 13-and-a-half days, set in 2002 by the late Steve Fossett.
“The landing was exciting — the balloon got dragged along and the gondola got bashed around, and when it stopped, Fedor didn’t get straight out. I thought he was knocked out. But he was just waiting for it to be calm,“fellow adventurer told ABC.
Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov breaks world hot air balloon record, lands safety in WA https://t.co/WT2Rf7bNok pic.twitter.com/7sDGZJQ5sM
— ABC News (@abcnews) July 23, 2016
00:54
Russia offers support to Somalian army in fight against terrorist groups
Go to video
USA: sanctions against the head of Wagner in Mali
01:53
Zimbabwe: A fleet of Russian helicopters for disaster management, policing
00:54
Malian soldiers killed in ambush
01:01
S.Africa's Ramaphosa says ruling party wants country to quit ICC
Go to video
Central Africa accuses rebels of killing nine Chinese miners