Polish president dies in plane crash

[longfingernails]

Breaking news

how very sad this is.

Particularly feel for the family of the victims of the massacre who were travelling there. It was an important healing gesture of reconciliation between Russia and Poland, such a shame that it has been overshadowed by a tragedy. My Polish friend is very upset.

'...Polish politicians- like so many politicians in less developed countries...'

Since when is Poland a 'less developed country'?

Unbelievable.

A dreadful thing to happen. Our Polish builders called to apologise for not coming today, as they were showing their respect. (but will be here tomorrow bless them)

"Over 90 people were killed in this crash"

That's just terrible. I'm so sad. As somebody else said, that's 90 families who have lost loved ones and even more poignant given the reason that they were on the flight in the first place.

It's just heartbreaking and I'm so sad for the people of Poland at this time. I had nothing but kindness when I visited Poland. When my friends family realised that I was Catholic and really 'into' Pope John Paul II they gave me a beautiful book about him. All in Polish with lots of wonderful photographs. It's one of my most treasured posessions now.

I'm very sad for their loss.

My mum said my polish sil found out whilst at her house last night and was incredibly shocked. It is sad personally for the famillies involved but also the country as a whole.

my thoughts are with the familys

It's a tragic loss of so many lives - a shock indeed to lose a president, even for those who didn't support him, but I can't take in how many VIPs were on board - MPs of all parties, heads of armed forces, security services, central bank, even of the Polish olympic committee, the last Polish president-in-exile Kaczorowski (who was 90), Katyn survivors and historians, Catholic priests, an actor, etc.

It was not even on the front page of most of the newspapers here, leaving most info to be gleaned from blogs or Wikipedia. Typical of how insular the UK press is. I feel so sorry for the families of all those involved.

p 8 of the observer today - shameful

that link is really annoying as well

Yes, that link was really depressing, Sanfairyann. I read a good few of the comments, and only one by 'Cranberry', who claimed to be Polish, was sane. Whatever may be the techno equivalent of "paper never refused ink" applies here.