Remains of Air Algerie crash victims now in Paris

PARIS (AP) — France’s foreign and transport ministries say the first traces of passenger remains from the site where the Air Algerie plane went down in Mali last month have been brought to Paris for identification.

A statement said the first “organic and biological elements” collected arrived in Paris Friday. Information from families to help identify the victims has also been gathered.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has previously said the remains were “pulverized,” making identification exceedingly difficult.

France says all 118 registered people onboard died when the plane crashed on July 24, but Burkina Faso puts the figure at 116, saying two passengers didn’t board.

French authorities say bad weather was likely at the crash’s origin near Burkina Faso’s border, but exclude nothing.

Experts are analyzing the two black boxes of the MD-83.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up