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Bodies Recovered from Brown's Plane
Rescue Workers Remove Bodies By Davor Huic
(DUBROVNIK, Croatia, April 5—Reuters) Rescue helicopters have evacuated all 35 bodies from the remote mountain site of a plane crash that killed U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, U.S. officials said on Friday. "Thirty-five sets of remains were removed from the crash site and are now in the (improvised) mortuary" at Dubrovnik airport in Croatia, U.S. Army Colonel Mark Brzozowski said. The bodies were to be flown back to the United States by Saturday for formal identification.

Ron Brown"The (U.S.) investigation team is at the crash site and continuing its work," Brzozowski told reporters. "Right now they are looking at the crash site at how the wreckage is disposed around (it). The bottom line is to find out what happened so it won't happen again."

Brown's plane, carrying U.S. officials and businessmen seeking opportunities for post-war reconstruction in former Yugoslavia, crashed on Wednesday on its approach to Dubrovnik airport in blinding, windblown rain. Low clouds and rough terrain hampered recovery efforts. Major Olivier Rostain, a French NATO commander, said helicopters unable to land because of wind had to winch the bodies from the wreck site overlooking the Adriatic seacoast. Reporters saw helicopters hovering and lifting what looked like stretchers from the steep, rocky slope strewn with the remains of the Boeing 737.

Rescue Workers Remove Bodies A source close to the scene said many bodies were mutilated and some charred. Brzozowski said they would be formally identified only in the United States. A "short, dignified ceremony" was expected to take place at the mortuary probably on Saturday, Brzozowski added. Croatian President Franjo Tudjman was expected to attend.

The Croatian flag at the airport flew at half staff as Croatia observed a day of mourning proclaimed by Tudjman. U.S. Assistant Commerce Secretary Robert Taft flew into Dubrovnik to assist the recovery and evacuation operation. Olivier said French troops had arrested three local intruders for looting at the crash site and handed them over to police. Dubrovnik police were not able to confirm this.

Brown, 12 U.S. government officials, 12 prominent corporate executives, a European development bank official, a New York Times reporter, a Croatian interpreter, a Croatian photographer and the six-man plane crew died in the crash. The Boeing 737 ploughed into the mountain ridge when it veered off course in its approach to Dubrovnik. The cause of the crash remained unclear because the plane was not equipped with the usual voice and flight data-recording system. U.S. investigating teams have been on the spot since Thursday afternoon looking for clues.

Additional resources
Crash Coverage (April 3)
Rough Terrain Hampers rescue Workers
Current Passenger List
Profile of Secretary's Plane
Secretary of Commerce on Bosnia Trade Mission (March 30)
United States Department of Commerce

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