1.
SV Sign "Saulx-les-Chartreux TILT UP TO GV
0.06

2.
GV Smouldering aircraft
0.14

3.
GV PAN & GV Rescuers shroud bodies while wreck smoulders (2 shots)
0.30

4.
GV Helicopter hovers overhead PAN TO rescuers removing shrouded bodies on stretchers
0.43

5.
CU Engine pod TILT UP TO MV Fireman amid smoking wreckage
0.48

6.
GVs rescuers amid shrouded bodies (2 shots)
1.02

7.
STV PAN Body carried out by fireman
1.10

8.
STV PAN Ambulances waiting
1.15

9.
GV ZOOM INTO MV Another body carried out
1.23

10.
GV PAN Crashed aircraft
1.34

11.
GV PAN Rescuers amongst wreckage
1.42

12.
GV Engine TILT UP TO Tailplane with sign "Varig"
1.50

13.
GV & GV PAN Wreckage (2 shots)
2.03



Initials BB/0342 BB/DW/BB/0400



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A Brazilian airliner slammed into the ground and burst into flames at the village of Saulx-Les-Chartreux near Paris, France on wednesday killing at least 122 people.

The final death toll is not expected to be known for some time as police and firemen carry out a gruesome search, combing each piece of the smouldering wreckage.

Fire raged throughout the fuselage as the 'plane crashed turning it into a huge metal casket filled with charred bodies, many of them still strapped in the seats.

The 'plane apparently tried to make an emergency landing after the pilot, who its believed to have survived the crash, realised he could not reach Orly Airport -- just one-and-a-half minutes flying time away.

The landing gear and an engine fell off as the 'plane dropped like a stone to the ground, according to an eye witness report. As it hit the ground, one wing snapped off and the fuselage slewed round. There was a loud explosion and a cloud of black smoke billowed out of the wreck. Three hours later the 'plane was still smouldering as rescuers clambered among the wreckage searching for survivors but finding only bodies.

The 'plane, a Brazilian Varig Airline Boeing 707, was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew on a direct flight from Rio to the French capital. Among those who died were Senator Felinto Muller, Majority Leader in the Brazilian Senate who was accompanied by his wife and 16-year-old grandson. Another passenger was Joerg Bruder, the Finnish world champion yachtsman.

The crash was the worst in france for II-years.

SYNOPSIS: The village of Saulx-les-Chartreux near Paris was the scene of France's worst air crash in eleven years on Wednesday when a Brazilian airliner slammed into the ground, exploded and burst into flames. At least 122 people were killed.

The final death toll was not expected to be known for some time as police and firemen combed the smouldering wreckage in a gruesome search.

The 'plane, a Boeing 707, apparently tried to make an emergency landing after the pilot realised he could not reach Orly Airport just one-and-a-half minutes flying time away. According to an eye witness the landing gear and an engine fell off as the 'plane dropped and slammed into the ground. As it hit one wing snapped off and the fuselage slewed round. There was a loud explosion and a cloud of dense, black, smoke billowed out of the wreck. Three hours later the wreckage was still smouldering as teams of rescue workers carried body after body from what was left of the aircraft.

The 'plans, one of a fleet of 707's operated by Varig, the Brazilian airline, was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew on a direct flight from Rio to Paris.

Within seconds of the crash flames raged through the fuselage turning it into a huge metal coffin filled with charred bodies -- many of them still strapped to their seats.

Among those who died were Senator Felinto Muller, Majority Leader in the Brazilian Senate who was accompanied by his wife and 16-year-old grandson. Another passenger was Joerg Bruder, the Finnish world champion yachtsman.