Investigators are trying to determine what caused Yemeni Airbus 310 to crash. French officials say inspectors found a number of faults with plane 2 years ago... and it had not returned to European air space since.

Transport Ministers say the airline was not on any European black lists but was subject to stricter surveillance. However, Yemenia's chief denied the plane may have been faulty.

Comorans in Paris who have flown Yemenia flights to the Indian Ocean archipelago have been critical of travel conditions on the flights.

Meanwhile, rescue crews have been racing against the clock in attempt of finding any more survivors.

Christophe Prazuck, French Military Commander
"As soon as we have learned that there was an accident on Comore island we have mobilized military and civilian means on La Reunion island. This morning an aircraft took off from La Reunion, a military aircraft with doctors, divers and boats in order to conduct a maritime operation on the scene of action. In the same time we have ordered two of our navy ships, a petrol boat La Rieuse and a frigate called Le Nivose to head towards Comore Island. They will arrive on the scene of action tomorrow morning and they will be able to recover people who are still alive and recover bodies, and pieces of the aircraft, to conduct a technical analysis later."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has asked the French military to help in the rescue operation, particularly from the French islands of Mayotte and Reunion.

EBRU NEWS