U.K. AIRLINER DOWN IN SEA

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31499, 13 October 1967, Page 15

U.K. AIRLINER DOWN IN SEA

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

NICOSIA, October 12.

A Cyprus Airways B.EA. Comet-Jet airliner crashed into the sea 160 miles west of Nicosia today and all 59 passengers and seven crewmen aboard were presumed killed, a Royal Air Force spokesman said.

A spokesman of the Greek Civil Aviation Department said wreckage had been sighted near the island of’ Kastellorizon, off the Turkish coast between Rhodes and Cyprus.

The airliner was on the last leg of its flight from Athens to Cyprus when it was reported missing.

A B.E.A. announcement said 32 passengers boarded the plane at London’s Heathrow Airport and 27 at Athens.

Some children were believed aboard.

The* three-man flying crew were British. Four Cypriots —two stewards and two stewardesses—joined the Comet at Athens to complete the crew.

The airliner was jointly operated by British European Airways and Cyprus Airways.

The B.E.A. spokesman said contact with the Comet was lost when the aircraft was near Rhodes.

According to unconfirmed reports, search aircraft have sighted bodies in the sea.

The Royal Air Force airsea rescue centre at Episkopi, south-west Cyprus, sent two Lightning jet fighters and two Hastings transport aircraft to

• join the search. , American Hercules and i Greek Air Force transport i planes are also heading for i the spot.