Polish President Killed in Plane Crash

 

The Polish president Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and scores of high-ranking officials and historians have died in a plane crash in Smolensk, Russia. The delegation was en route to a ceremony commemorating the Katyn massacre, in which thousands of Poles were killed by Soviet forces in 1940. Over 80 passengers were killed as the plane attempted to land in heavy fog. A wing of the plane is believed to have caught on the branches of trees in a forest near the Smolensk airport.

The speaker of the lower house of parliament Bronislaw Komorowski has taken the role of acting President, and has announced a week of national mourning for Poland. Visitors should note that the majority of upcoming concerts and cultural events have been cancelled.

The former president may have divided the public with his conservative views, but Poles of all political leanings have come together to mourn as a nation. A sea of flowers and and candles continues to grow in front of the Presidential Palace on Krakowskie Przedmiescie street in Warsaw, where thousands have gathered to pay their respects.

For a more detailed insight into this grave national tragedy, visit the website of the English-language Krakow Post newspaper.

Source: Warsaw Life

Apr.10.2010

add your comments

Hello, I do understand the fact that some people are against the fact that the president of Poland and his wife will be buried in Wavel castle, within the crypt of kings but not only kings or heroes are there.And it is not a reason to go on the streets with big boards, yelling at everyone...like they do on french strike.Come on a bit of respect for that president and wife.They deserve to be buried there in the way tehy are kind of representing other 94 people who lost their life in plane crash before going to commemorate 1940's Katyn Intellectuals people mass murder by Stalinian police.I may understand that the decision has been made quickly and not discussed with the Polish people but there is not enough time to do a referendum but anyway it has been discussed an agreed by Polish Parliement and by Krakowian church authorities.Personnally I hope that there will be a board (next to where they will be buried) noticing the cause of death of them and other 94 persons, and the name of the other people who were with them in the plane.It would be the minimum respect and an important and reasonable tribute to all other 94 polish people.I hope as well that there will a commemorative monument in Katyn and in Warsaw as well to remember forever this unprecedent Tragedy in Polish History and in the world.God Bless Poland and those sacrified people and their families.Forever in our mind they will be!

reviewed by Lorek from France on Apr.15.2010

I can't imagine the pain. We are praying for you in Lithuania.http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108726095832424&ref=mf

reviewed by Elvyra from Lithuania on Apr.15.2010

What a tragic event fro Poland and all world that this plane crash is. All 96 people which were travelling on this plane were going to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn 1940's mass murder committed by Russian Stalinian secret police.I think that now all world will know now about that tragedy too.Russian chiefs cannot avoid to agree that this tragedy of Katyn happened even if committed by their predecessors.I think they should apologise for that historical massacra.Now, I wish to present my deep condolences to all members of family and relatives of people who lost their life in Smolensk plane crssh and also in Katyn 70 years ago (as i heard about this story only by watching the movie Katyn).I send my prayers and thoughts to those people and also for relatives and all Polish people who lost their life in the past because of crazy people during war, nazism, bolchevism...You will be forever reminded.

reviewed by lorek from France on Apr.13.2010

Katyn and the surrounding areas seem to be a 'Bermuda Triangle' for Poles. We have been following the events online and through television and send our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims to the great country of Poland.

reviewed by BJr from United States on Apr.12.2010

what a tragic loss - so many people at one time. i'm very interested in the developments we will learn in the next few days on why such a tragedy happened.

reviewed by Kasia from Poland on Apr.12.2010

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