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Teenage Air Crash Survivor Reunited With Family

French gov't flies 14-year-old to Paris

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 2, 2009 4:34 AM CDT

(AP) – The young girl believed to be the only survivor of Tuesday's Indian Ocean plane crash flew back to Paris today, to the waiting arms of her father and siblings. Bahia Bakari, 14, returned to France alongside a government minister and other French officials. The other 151 people on Yemenia flight 626, including her mother, are presumed dead.

Bahia, described by her father as a fragile girl who could barely swim, spent over 13 hours in the water before she was rescued. She was found hanging onto a piece of the plane, suffering from hypothermia, a broken collarbone and bruises. "It is a miracle, it is an absolutely extraordinary battle for survival," said the minister who accompanied her. "We will do everything we can to help her."

Surrounded by doctors, the only survivor of the Yemenia Airbus 310 jet crash, 14-year-old Bahia Bakari, is seen in a hospital bed.
Surrounded by doctors, the only survivor of the Yemenia Airbus 310 jet crash, 14-year-old Bahia Bakari, is seen in a hospital bed.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Kassim Bakari, the father of 14-year old Bahia Bakari, the only known survivor of the crash of a Yemenia Airbus A310 jet, answers reporters outside his apartment building south of Paris, July 1, 2009.
Kassim Bakari, the father of 14-year old Bahia Bakari, the only known survivor of the crash of a Yemenia Airbus A310 jet, answers reporters outside his apartment building south of Paris, July 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
An ambulance driver is seen near the French government plane with the 14-year old Bahia Bakari on board.
An ambulance driver is seen near the French government plane with the 14-year old Bahia Bakari on board.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Kassim Bakari, 2nd right, awaits his 14-year-old daughter Bahia , the girl believed to be the only survivor of the crash of a Yemenia Airbus A310 jet.
Kassim Bakari, 2nd right, awaits his 14-year-old daughter Bahia , the girl believed to be the only survivor of the crash of a Yemenia Airbus A310 jet.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Comorans wait for news near the beach in Moroni, Comoros, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 after the crash of a Yemenia Airbus 310 jet on Tuesday.
Comorans wait for news near the beach in Moroni, Comoros, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 after the crash of a Yemenia Airbus 310 jet on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Alain Joyandet, a minister in the French government, left, talks with doctors and hospital staff at the El Maaruf Hospital in Moroni, Comoros, Wednesday, July 1, 2009.
Alain Joyandet, a minister in the French government, left, talks with doctors and hospital staff at the El Maaruf Hospital in Moroni, Comoros, Wednesday, July 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
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