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Yemen jet crashes in Indian Ocean Yemen jet crashes in Indian Ocean
(10 minutes later)
A Yemeni airliner with 153 people on board has crashed in the Indian Ocean near the Comoros archipelago.A Yemeni airliner with 153 people on board has crashed in the Indian Ocean near the Comoros archipelago.
Some bodies have been spotted, a Yemeni aviation official said, and wreckage of the plane located. It is not clear whether there were survivors.Some bodies have been spotted, a Yemeni aviation official said, and wreckage of the plane located. It is not clear whether there were survivors.
The Airbus 310 flight IY626, operated by Yemeni carrier Yemenia Air, was flying from the Yemeni capital Sanaa.The Airbus 310 flight IY626, operated by Yemeni carrier Yemenia Air, was flying from the Yemeni capital Sanaa.
It is not clear what caused the crash but officials say there was bad weather in the area at the time.It is not clear what caused the crash but officials say there was bad weather in the area at the time.
Reports say the plane was due in the Comoros capital Moroni at about 0230 (0030 BST). Most of the passengers had travelled to Sanaa from Paris or Marseille on a different aircraft. Reports say the plane was due in the Comoros capital Moroni at about 0230 (2230GMT on Monday). Most of the passengers had travelled to Sanaa from Paris or Marseille on a different aircraft.
The flight on to Moroni was also thought to have made a stop in Djibouti.The flight on to Moroni was also thought to have made a stop in Djibouti.
There were 147 passengers and 11 crew on board. There were 147 passengers, including three babies, and 11 crew on board.
An airport source told AFP news agency that 66 of the passengers were French, although many are thought to have dual French-Comoran citizenship.An airport source told AFP news agency that 66 of the passengers were French, although many are thought to have dual French-Comoran citizenship.
This is the second air tragedy this month involving large numbers of French citizens.This is the second air tragedy this month involving large numbers of French citizens.
On 1 June an Air France Airbus 330 travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris plunged into the Atlantic, killing all 228 people on board.On 1 June an Air France Airbus 330 travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris plunged into the Atlantic, killing all 228 people on board.
'Aborted landing''Aborted landing'
A search is under way, with the French military assisting with the operation.A search is under way, with the French military assisting with the operation.
Officials told AFP that wreckage from the plane, an oil slick and bodies had been spotted in the water a few kilometres from Moroni, on the island of Njazidja (Grande Comore).Officials told AFP that wreckage from the plane, an oil slick and bodies had been spotted in the water a few kilometres from Moroni, on the island of Njazidja (Grande Comore).
RECENT AIR CRASHES 1 June: An Air France Airbus plane travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris disappears in the Atlantic with 228 people on board12 February: A plane crashes into a house in Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground8 February: A plane crashes into a river in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, killing 24 people Timeline of air disastersRECENT AIR CRASHES 1 June: An Air France Airbus plane travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris disappears in the Atlantic with 228 people on board12 February: A plane crashes into a house in Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground8 February: A plane crashes into a river in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, killing 24 people Timeline of air disasters
"The weather conditions were rough; strong wind and high seas," Yemenia official Mohammad al-Sumairi told Reuters news agency."The weather conditions were rough; strong wind and high seas," Yemenia official Mohammad al-Sumairi told Reuters news agency.
The BBC's Will Ross, in Kenya, says that given the fact the crash happened during the night and in the sea, the chances of finding any survivors are slim.The BBC's Will Ross, in Kenya, says that given the fact the crash happened during the night and in the sea, the chances of finding any survivors are slim.
The three Comoros islands are about 300km (190 miles) northwest of Madagascar in the Mozambique channel.The three Comoros islands are about 300km (190 miles) northwest of Madagascar in the Mozambique channel.
There were unconfirmed reports that it had attempted to land but aborted the landing. It was not seen again. There were unconfirmed reports that the plane had attempted to land but aborted the landing. The control tower lost contact with it and it was not seen again.
A resident near the airport told the BBC about 100 people were trying to get into the airport to find out more information, but without much success.A resident near the airport told the BBC about 100 people were trying to get into the airport to find out more information, but without much success.
The airline Yemenia is 51% owned by the Yemeni government and 49% by the Saudi government.The airline Yemenia is 51% owned by the Yemeni government and 49% by the Saudi government.
In 1996, a hijacked Ethiopian airliner came down in the same area - most of the 175 passengers and crew were killed.In 1996, a hijacked Ethiopian airliner came down in the same area - most of the 175 passengers and crew were killed.
Have you been affected by the crash? Do you have any information about it you would like to share? Contact the BBC using the form below.Have you been affected by the crash? Do you have any information about it you would like to share? Contact the BBC using the form below.
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