You are here: Home News European News Teen recovers after miracle rescue from jet crash
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


02/07/2009Teen recovers after miracle rescue from jet crash

Amid mounting anger over the condition of the Yemenia airline jet that crashed early Tuesday, a desperate hunt for other survivors resumed.

Moroni -- Teenager Bahia Bakari recovered in hospital Wednesday a day after miraculously surviving the Yemeni jet crash off the Comoros feared to have killed 152 other people.

Amid mounting anger over the condition of the Yemenia airline jet that crashed early Tuesday, a desperate hunt for other survivors resumed and the French government said one black box flight recorder from the A310 had been detected.

Thirteen-year-old Bakari, who lives in Marseille, France, escaped without serious injuries from the crash as the jet attempted to land at Moroni airport at the end of a four stage flight from France.

French Cooperation Minister Alain Joyandet met the girl in hospital on Wednesday and heard how she was pulled out of the sea.

One rescuer told France's Europe 1 radio that the girl was seen swimming in choppy waters in the middle of bodies and plane debris in the dark about two hours after the crash.

"We tried to throw a life buoy. She could not grab it. I had to jump in the water to get her," the rescuer said.

"She was shaking, shaking. We put four covers on her. We gave her hot, sugary water. We simply asked her name, village."

Her father Kassim Bakari told French radio the girl had suffered some burns when she was thrown from the plane. She hardly knew how to swim, he told RTL radio, but clung to some debris and heard the voices of the rescuers.

The girl's mother was also among the 141 other passengers and 11 on Flight IY 626 who are feared dead.

"She is conscious, she is speaking.... but we are not asking her too many question so as not to tire her," said Ada Mansour, the doctor who treated the girl at the hospital, where she was in the intensive care unit.

The plane crashed into rough seas in darkness, after disappearing from control tower radar screens at 1:51 am Tuesday (2251 GMT Monday).

The A310 had aborted a landing and was making a second attempt when it crashed, officials said. French authorities have said the 19-year-old jet had been banned from France's airspace because of doubts about its safety.




0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

Living in Switzerland

Anyone interested in starting a social club in Zurich?, by Nickie24

CH Community Noticeboard

Switzerland Live Music Blog!, by panthers91

Living in Switzerland

Part time Help Needed in Switzerland, by Amanda1507

Living in Switzerland

house order rules in switzerland, by swisshat

Living in Switzerland

Does anyone know Lausanne?, by motiontemps

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Special needs in Switzerland

Special needs in Switzerland

Meeting the educational, legal and financial needs of those with disabilities.

Language Schools in Zurich

Language Schools in Zurich

Expatica’s selection of Language Schools, specialised in German for foreigners.

How to rent an apartment in Switzerland

How to rent an apartment in Switzerland

Information on searching for an apartment, visiting prospective homes, gathering necessary paperwork and signing the lease.

Switzerland's health care system

Switzerland's health care system

Information about the Swiss health care system, health insurance, pharmacies and emergency numbers.