Russia President Attends Kaczynski Funeral despite Air Ban

After the funeral Mass, there will be a procession through Krakow and on to the walled castle and cathedral at Wawel for a 21-gun salute and the burial. Photo by BGNES

The state funeral of President Lech Kaczynski and his wife has begun, with thousands of people gathered in the city of Krakow to pay respects.

After a funeral Mass, the couple will be buried in Wawel Cathedral, resting place of kings and national heroes.

Ninety-six people died eight days ago when their plane crashed in fog as they flew to attend a ceremony in Russia.

Many world leaders cannot attend the funeral because flights have been grounded by Icelandic volcanic ash, the BBC reported.

However, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev flew to Krakow despite air travel restrictions.

The state funeral began at 1400 local time (1200 GMT) with a Mass at Krakow's St Mary's Basilica. The coffins of the first couple had arrived from Warsaw on a military transport plane that flew below the volcanic ash cloud.

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Krakow to watch hearses transfer the coffins to the basilica.

After the funeral Mass, there will be a procession through Krakow and on to the walled castle and cathedral at Wawel for a 21-gun salute and the burial.

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