Deported Malians trash plane

2008-01-15 16:37

Bamako - A group of Malian illegal immigrants deported from Mozambique started trashing their plane in protest as it arrived in the capital on Tuesday, said airport officials.

The 80-strong group of deportees attempted to damage both the interior and exterior of the plane in front of cabin crew from South Africa.

The plane's crew demanded to take off again immediately after the Malians were taken off the plane by the civil guard, but the aircraft - whose airline had not been named - had been grounded for checks.

"When the plane arrived on the runway at Bamako Airport, the illegal immigrants attempted to smash the plane up, both inside and outside," said an airport official.

"With great difficulty, we managed to calm them down ... they claimed to have suffered abuse both in Mozambique and in South Africa," he added.

After the disembarcation of the passengers, the South African cabin crew demanded an immediate take-off - a request refused by the airport authorities.

The crew then demanded to see a representative from their embassy in Bamako before leaving the plane. The deportees were expected to be returned to their hometowns within Mali by the end of the week, said a Mali official.

- AFP