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Yemen jet crashes in Indian Ocean Yemen jet crashes in Indian Ocean
(about 1 hour later)
A Yemeni airliner with more than 150 people on board has crashed in the Indian Ocean near the Comoros islands.A Yemeni airliner with more than 150 people on board has crashed in the Indian Ocean near the Comoros islands.
Some bodies have been found and a survivor rescued, officials from the carrier, Yemenia, said. Some bodies have been found and a child rescued alive, officials from the carrier, Yemenia, said.
The Airbus 310 flight IY626 was flying from the Yemeni capital Sanaa, but many passengers on the plane began their journey in France.The Airbus 310 flight IY626 was flying from the Yemeni capital Sanaa, but many passengers on the plane began their journey in France.
The cause of the crash is not clear. A French minister said faults were found on the plane during a check in 2007.The cause of the crash is not clear. A French minister said faults were found on the plane during a check in 2007.
"The A310 in question was inspected in 2007 by the DGAC [French transport authorities] and they noticed a certain number of faults. Since then the plane had not returned to France," Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau was quoted as telling French TV."The A310 in question was inspected in 2007 by the DGAC [French transport authorities] and they noticed a certain number of faults. Since then the plane had not returned to France," Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau was quoted as telling French TV.
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 board20 May: An Indonesian army C-130 Hercules transport plane crashes into a village on eastern Java, killing at least 97 people12 February: A plane crashes into a house in Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground 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 board20 May: An Indonesian army C-130 Hercules transport plane crashes into a village on eastern Java, killing at least 97 people12 February: A plane crashes into a house in Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground Timeline of air disasters
"The company was not on the black list but was subject to stricter checks on our part, and was due to be interviewed shortly by the European Union's safety committee.""The company was not on the black list but was subject to stricter checks on our part, and was due to be interviewed shortly by the European Union's safety committee."
Mr Bussereau had earlier told French media that bad weather was the likely cause.Mr Bussereau had earlier told French media that bad weather was the likely cause.
See a map of the plane's route
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.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 more than 150 people on board, including three babies and 11 crew.There were more than 150 people on board, including three babies and 11 crew.
Anxious relatives of passengers wait at Paris airport
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.
French military are assisting with the search operationFrench military are assisting with the search 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).
"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.
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.
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