WRECKAGE OF PLANE; RESCUE WORKERS AND FIREMEN AT WORK; SURVIVOR.




Initials EH/V/JB/SS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN THE WOODED HILLS NEAR MILAN TODAY, RESCUE WORKERS CONTINUED TO SEARCH THROUGH THE DEBRIS OF THE ALITALIA DC-8 AIRLINER WHICH CRASHED THERE IN A THUNDERSTORM YESTERDAY (FRIDAY), KILLING 12 PASSENGERS. ABOUT 80 OTHERS MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED, AMONG THEM THE ITALIAN CREW OF 10.

THE PLANE WAS ON A FLIGHT FROM ROME TO MONTREAL VIA MILAN WHEN - ACCORDING TO THE ALITALIA OFFICE IN ROME - IT WAS PRESUMABLY CAUGHT IN A DOWN-DRAUGHT DURING THE STORM - ONE OF THE WORST REMEMBERED BY VILLAGERS IN THE AREA. THE AIRLINER SPLIT IN TWO AFTER THE CRASH AND FLAMES SPREAD QUICKLY FROM THE ENGINES TO THE REST OF THE PLANE. MOST OF THE PASSENGERS HAD TIME TO JUMP CLEAR AND RUN TO A SAFE DISTANCE. ALL THE REMAINS OF THE PLANE IS THE TAIL AND PART OF THE REAR FUSELAGE.

AN OFFICIAL ENQUIRY HAS BEEN INSTITUTED INTO THE CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.