- Title: LIBYA: News conference following plane crash at Tripoli airport
- Date: 13th May 2010
- Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (MAY 12, 2010) (REUTERS) **FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY** JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE TRANSPORT MINISTER MOHAMED ZAIDAN GIVING STATEMENT AT NEWS CONFERENCE, WITH THE HEAD OF AFRIQIYA AIRLINE SABRI SHADI ON THE RIGHT, AND DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION MOHAMED SHLEBIC ON THE LEFT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TRANSPORT MINISTER, MOHAMED ZAIDAN, SAYING: "There were 104 passengers on board the plane including 11 crew. The incident took place during the landing at Tripoli International Airport. Search and rescue operations began immediately following the crash and were good. It is confirmed that there is one survivor who is receiving care and treatment in one of the Libyan hospitals. Hospitals have so far received 96 victims bodies." SOUTH AFRICA'S AMBASSADOR TO LIBYA JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TRANSPORT MINISTER, MOHAMED ZAIDAN, SAYING: " Hospitals have so far received 96 victims bodies. The two black boxes have been found. A committee has been formed to investigate the causes of the crash chaired by the chairman of the civil aviation authority, including aircraft specialists. A representative of Airbus, which manufactures the plane was also called." VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 28th May 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
- Reuters ID: LVA7D0JSTHCMI8Z4VYPVIAW4KE38
- Story Text: A Libyan Airbus crashed when trying to land at Tripoli airport early on Wednesday (May 12), killing 103 passengers and crew aboard, but a Dutch child survived, Libyan officials said.
Security and rescue teams rushed to the crash scene where torn plane parts were left standing amid scattered debris and passengers' personal belongings. Smoke was rising from the site as crews backed by fire engines put out the burning wreckage.
Libya's Afriqiyah airline said it operated the plane, which was flying from Johannesburg in South Africa to Tripoli. Planemaker Airbus said the jet was an A330-200 and the firm would help authorities with their investigation.
In a news conference, Libya's Transport Minister Mohamed Zidan said the 10-year-old child, who holds a Dutch passport, was in hospital.
"It is confirmed that there is one survivor who is receiving care and treatment in one of the Libyan hospitals. Hospitals have so far received 96 victims bodies." he said.
"The two black boxes have been found. A committee has been formed to investigate the causes of the crash chaired by the chairman of the civil aviation authority, including aircraft specialists. A representative of Airbus, which manufactures the plane was also called."
In a statement posted on its website, Afriqiyah Airways said its flight 8U771 had an accident during landing at Tripoli International airport. An airport official said the plane crashed at 6.10 a.m. local time (0410 GMT).
A South African foreign ministry spokeswoman said the plane had left Johannesburg en route to Libya the previous evening. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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