Aug. 2, 1999 >> 6:33 pm GMT


Two Bodies Found in Landing Gear of Sabena Plane

Reuters 02-AUG-99

BRUSSELS, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The bodies of two apparent stowaways were found in the landing
gear of a Sabena plane a few hours after the aircraft landed in Brussels on Monday.

The bodies of two males were found in the landing gear of the Airbus A330-300 plane at about 9:30a.m (0730 GMT) while the plane was being refueled, Wilfred Remans, a spokesman for Belgian national airline Sabena told Reuters.

The plane, which had originated in Conakry, Guinea, and also stopped in Bamako, Mali, had arrived in Brussels at about 0400 GMT.

Remans said a police investigation had been launched. The ages and identity of the victims were not yet known.


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Sad, sad, sad- that's all I can say.

These things are tragic but do happen - I remember a few years ago two Indians stowed in the undercarriage of a BA plane flying to London. One fell out when the gear came down, which was somewthing of a shock for the residents of prosperous Richmond-Upon-Thames. Miraculously, his companion survived, with severe hypothermia. I don't know but I assume he was deported for his trouble.

Actually, I think we allowed him to stay.

That's a rare chink of light in British immgration policy, Markie. Are you sure...? I mean remeber what sort of person we have had as Home Secretary for the last 7 (or so) years...

There was a sad case many years ago of an Australian teenager who was so fascinated by flying he decided to try the same trick on a JAL DC8 (I think) from SYD to NRT. He fell as the landing gear was being retracted and died on impact. Amazingly, the incident was captured by a photographer.