An Air France plane carrying 228 people from Brazil to France has disappeared over the Atlantic, the victim of a tropical storm.
It is not yet clear how many Britons were on board the Airbus, which left Rio de Janeiro at 11pm British time last night and was due to arrive in Paris at 10.15 this morning. One infant, seven children, 82 women, 126 men and 12 crew boarded the flight last night.
Flight 447 is reported to have sent a message four hours after taking off, reporting a short circuit as it encountered turbulence. It was 190 miles north east of the coastal Brazilian city of Natal when it lost contact and its electrics failed.
A search mission was set up around Brazilian resort Fernando de Noronha but authorities said that the search area could be three times the size of Europe. The mission is also hampered by the fact that the plane was well over the ocean by the time it got into difficulties.
Head of communications at Air France Francois Brousse told reporters at Charles de Gaulle: “The plane might have been struck by lightning – it’s a possibility.”
Air France chief executive Pierre-Henri Gourgeon told the reporters: “We are without a doubt faced with an air disaster.”
Charles de Gaulle airport has set up a crisis centre for relatives of the plane’s passengers.
By Dinah Hatch
