 |
France/Yemen/Comoros
Thousands protest at Yemenia air crash in Marseille
Article published on the 2009-07-04 Latest update 2009-07-05 13:05 TU
French and Comorian divers patrol the Indian Ocean waters during a search mission for the missing Yemenia Airbus A310-300 plane
(Photo: Reuters)
Thousands of people marched through the southern French city of Marseille on Saturday in protest at the Yemenia airliner crash which cost 153 lives. Yemenia has suspended its flights to the Comoros, where the plane was due to arrive.
At least 10,000 people, 40,000 according to organisers, marched through Marseille, which is home to a large Comoran community. Some of the demonstrators wore black armbands and carried placards reading "Never again" and "Life is priceless".
French Prime Minister François Fillon has named a former French ambassador to Sudan, Christine Robichon, as a go-between relief agencies and the families of those killed in the crash.
Earlier, Yemenia announced that it is suspending flights to the Comoros after angry demonstrations at airports.
"In light of serious incidents in recent days and major risks that some passengers posed to airport staff, our company and passengers, Yemenia has decided to no longer serve Moroni for an indefinite period from 3 July until the situation eases," it said in a statement.
The airline said that it will refund passengers holding tickets for suspended flights.
In the Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi issued a statement Saturday urging the Comoran community in France to show "calm and serenity at a time of contemplation and mourning to secure national and international solidarity".
 Yemenia suspends Comoros flights |
