Child survivor found after Yemeni plane crash

1 Jul 2009, 7:18 am   -   Source: AFP
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Rescuers have found a child survivor of a Yemeni airliner that crashed off the coast of the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros, a hospital official says.

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Rescuers have found a child survivor of a Yemeni airliner that crashed off the coast of the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros, a hospital official says.

"A child was found alive. He is now on a rescuers' boat," Ben Imani, a doctor at Moroni's main hospital said.

A Comoros Red Cross official confirmed the rescue.

"We have all that is needed - drips, equipment - to assist the child immediately," said Al fachad Salim. It was not immediately clear if the child was the same survivor reported earlier in Sanaa by a Yemenia airline official.

Salim explained that fishermen also found debris, handbags and other personal effects after the plane carrying 153 people, including 11 crew, crashed off the Comoros.

Rescuers were stationed at the shore north of Grande Comores, the largest of the three isles making up the union of Comoros, witnesses said.

The secretary general of the Comoros government Nourdine Bourhane said the control tower had lost control with the crew at around 2300 GMT (0900 AEST) during poor weather.

Government officials have set up a crisis cell at the airport. Comoros state radio had suspended normal programmes and was broadcasting readings of Koran verses. 

Witnesses at the airport said they saw the jet approaching the airport before disappearing. "I saw the plane trying to land. I went into the (arrival) terminal to meet my mother, but there was no plane," Moussa Boina said.

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