The death toll in the Feb. 21 Libyan airliner disaster rose to 107 today when one of the seven survivors died at Beersheba Hospital. The victim was Mahmoud Abu Baker, 33, a Libyan national who was being treated for severe burns and fractures. He had only brief periods of consciousness while at the hospital but was able to identify himself before he died.
Two other survivors were discharged from Beersheba Hospital today and were flown by helicopter to Kantara on the Suez Canal where they were transferred to Egyptian territory under Red Cross auspices. They are Feisal Mahmoud, an Egyptian, and Fathi Jabaleh, a citizen of Libya. Both were in high spirits as they prepared to leave the hospital. They embraced members of the medical staff and thanked them for the treatment they received. Each was given a fresh set of clothing. They expressed appreciation for the Israeli offer of compensation.
Two Libyans and a Jordanian remain at Beersheba Hospital. Their condition is still described as serious. But the Libyan co-pilot of the downed airliner was reported very much improved at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem today. He was moved from an intensive care unit to a regular ward.
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