Hollande declares three days of mourning over Air Algerie crash
- 10 years ago
French President Francois Holande has ordered that flags fly at half-mast on government buildings across France for three days beginning on Monday.
Around half of the 118 passengers who died on an Air Algerie plane, which was flying from Burkina Faso to Algiers, were French citizens.
The plane crashed less than an hour into its journey.
Hollande met with relatives of victims for three hours on Saturday afternoon.
“The crash site is difficult to access. It was important to secure the area, and we have. As soon as possible, all bodies will be brought back to France, all passengers’ remains,” Hollande said.
Family members will be allowed to travel to the site to help them cope with grief.
French forces secured the crash site with Malian and UN troops.
Meanwhile the second black box flight recorder has been found at the crash site.
Two investigations are ongoing.
Early indications are that poor weather was to blame for the crash.
Around half of the 118 passengers who died on an Air Algerie plane, which was flying from Burkina Faso to Algiers, were French citizens.
The plane crashed less than an hour into its journey.
Hollande met with relatives of victims for three hours on Saturday afternoon.
“The crash site is difficult to access. It was important to secure the area, and we have. As soon as possible, all bodies will be brought back to France, all passengers’ remains,” Hollande said.
Family members will be allowed to travel to the site to help them cope with grief.
French forces secured the crash site with Malian and UN troops.
Meanwhile the second black box flight recorder has been found at the crash site.
Two investigations are ongoing.
Early indications are that poor weather was to blame for the crash.