Observers returning here from the site of the Libyan plane crash said today that from above it looked like a black spot in the white sand dunes of the Sinai. At lower levels, parts of metal and passengers’ belongings were seen scattered over an area about a quarter of a mile wide. The major metal pieces were on the western side, indicating the direction of the airliner’s movement when it hit the ground. Part of wings, charred motors and scattered suitcases and other belongings were the only sign of the disaster. A heavy sand storm already gave the impression that the disaster took place long ago, not yesterday.
Israeli soldiers who reached the site in specially balloon-tired jeeps found they had been preceded by helicopter crews which started to help the victims. The soldiers helped evacuate the 13 injured, six of whom died since then, and assembled the 92 dead. The area is still guarded.
The coffins of the victims will be returned to Egypt tomorrow at the Kantara point on the Suez Canal under the auspices of the Red Cross. At the same time, the belongings of the passengers and the equipment of the plane will also be handed over at Kantara, it was reported tonight.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
