Bahrain Airbus A320 Crash

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CBC

Wed Aug 23, 3:14 pm

Plane crashes into Gulf waters near Bahrain

A Gulf Air Airbus A320 has crashed in the Persian Gulf near Bahrain, officials say. Bahrain Television is reporting 143 people were on-board Flight GF072. The Associated Press says so far only wreckage has been found.

FACTS AND FIGURES: Airbus 320s

According to the Minister of Information in Bahrain, Saeed Al Bably, a fire was detected in one engine as the plane was landing in Bahrain. It was arriving from Cairo, and, according to CNN, made two unsuccessful passes by the airport before putting down in the water 5 or 6 kilometres north of Bahrain.

Rescue efforts are underway with ambulances racing to Bahrain International Airport and helicopters circling the area. The U.S. Navy has personnel in the area, and is reportedly helping with rescue efforts.

According to CNN's aviation expert, Carl Rochelle, Airbus A320s are designed to be able to fly with only one engine working. Kevin Darcy, aviation safety consultant says the Airbuses have excellent safety records.

Gulf Air is the official carrier of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Abu Dhabi (UAE) flying to 53 international destinations.

-- Rachel Gibson (
rgibson@hotmail.com), August 23, 2000

Answers

For those who may have family or friends on this flight, Gulf Air's website should provide a passenger list eventually. At present it appears to be inaccessible, but keep trying.

Recent reports are saying 70 bodies have been recovered so far, most of them children. My sincere condolences.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), August 23, 2000.


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