DATE=05/08/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-289524

TITLE=TUNISIA / PLANE CRASH (L)

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATE CASUALTY FIGURES IN INTRO AS WARRANTED ///

INTRO: An Egyptian passenger plane, with 56 people on board, has crashed while trying to land near the Tunisian capital, Tunis. There are conflicting reports about how many people died in the crash. Egyptian officials say there have been at least 15 deaths, while Tunisia's information minister has been quoted as saying five people are known dead and 27 others injured. V-O-A's Greg LaMotte has the details from our Middle East bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: EgyptAir officials in Cairo confirm Flight 843, which was traveling from Cairo to Tunis, crashed as it approached the Tunis-Carthage airport. According to Nagwa Abdul Fadil with the Tunisian News Agency in Tunis, the plane crashed into a hillside in very bad weather.

/// FADIL ACT IN FRENCH, ESTABLISH AND FADE UNDER///

Ms. Fadil says there were difficulties during the landing due to bad weather that included wind, rain and heavy fog. Ms. Fadil says minutes after the crash, ambulances, security personnel and helicopters were on the scene evacuating injured passengers who were then airlifted to local hospitals.

Tunis airport officials were quoted as saying the plane's landing gear failed to open during the approach to Tunis airport. Officials said the pilot circled the airport before attempting a second landing when the crash occurred.

Airport officials in Tunis say the control tower lost contact with the plane moments after receiving a distress call from the pilot.

The crash occurred in what was described as rugged territory. The Tunisian News Agency says Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his cabinet have been notified of the crash, and requests have been made for Egyptian authorities to travel to Tunis to aid in the investigation of the crash. (Signed)

NEB/GL/KL/SAB