Polish President Lech Kaczynski
, 60, and some of the country's highest military and civilian leaders died when the presidential plane crash as it lands a thick fog in Western Russia today (NZ time), killing 96, officials said.
, 60, and some of the country's highest military and civilian leaders died when the presidential plane crash as it lands a thick fog in Western Russia today (NZ time), killing 96, officials said. The ninety-six passengers who were on board the Soviet-era Tupolev includes the President, his wife and staff to attend the 70th anniversary of the massacre of thousands of Polish Officers by Soviet secret police which also includes Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Franciszek Gagor, National Bank President Slawomir Skrzypek and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer. Out of the 96 dead passengers, 88 of which were Polish state delegation. Poland's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Piotr Paszkowski said there were 89 people on the passenger list but one person did not show up.
includes the President, his wife and staff to attend the 70th anniversary of the massacre of thousands of Polish Officers by Soviet secret police which also includes Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Franciszek Gagor, National Bank President Slawomir Skrzypek and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer. Out of the 96 dead passengers, 88 of which were Polish state delegation. Poland's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Piotr Paszkowski said there were 89 people on the passenger list but one person did not show up. We still cannot fully understand the scope of this tragedy and what it means for us in the future. Nothing like this case has ever happened in Poland," Paszkowski said. "We can assume with great certainty that all persons on board have been killed."
The governor of Smolensk region where the plane crash took place about 11 a.m. (7pm NZ time) also said that no one survived.
Footage from the crash site which was taken by Rossiya-24, the State news channel showed pieces of the plane scattered widely amid leafless trees and small fires burning in woods shrouded with fog. A tail fin with the Polish red and white colors stuck up from the debris.
"The Polish presidential plane did not make it to the runway while engaging to land. Tentative findings indicate that it hit the treetops and fell apart, Regional Governor Sergei Anufriev said on Rossiya-24. "Nobody has survived the disaster."
This is most tragic incident happened in Poland where its people mourned for the lost of their President and all passengers on board on the said presidential plane.
In Warsaw, Prime Minister Donald Tusk called an extraordinary meeting of his Cabinet and the national flag was lowered to half-staff at the presidential palace, where people gathered to lay flowers and light candles.
Black ribbons also appeared in some windows of the Polish capital.
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