A TWA jet that crashed at sea off Greece today with the possible loss of over 100 lives is believed to have had only two Israelis aboard, according to airline officials here. But Flight 841 which left Ben Gurion Airport at 9:15 a.m.local time for Athens, Rome and New York may have been carrying American Jewish tourist. At least some 20 Americans were reported to be aboard.
According to TWA officials, 105 passengers, mostly home-bound tourist, boarded the Boeing 707 this morning at Ben Gurion; 48 left the plane at Athens Airport where 35 new passengers boarded. The aircraft was said to carry a crew of nine.
TWA officials would not disclose the names of the Israeli passport holders, reportedly a husband and wife, until their next of kin are located. The couple, however may have left the plane at Athens. The airliner plunged into the Ionian Sea near Corfu.
The first reports from rescue craft did not mention survivors. There was no indication of the cause of the crash. (A Civil Aviation spokes man in Athens said that all precautionary measures against sabotage and hijacking had been taken before the plane left Athens Airport.)
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
