Kaczynski lying in state in Warsaw

The body of the late president,
Lech Kaczynski, arrived in Warsaw on Sunday afternoon to a nation gripped by grief.

He died with at least 96 others when his presidential plane went down early Saturday in western Russia.

Thousands lined the streets to pay their respects to the former leader. Some threw flowers at the passing cortege, some wept and some even
applauded.

The president’s wife, the chief of the army, and several senior lawmakers were among the victims.

Kaczynski’s body will now lie in state for several days. It arrived back from the crash at Warsaw’s main airport 1530 CET on Sunday.

Kacynski’s twin brother, Jaroslaw, and the president’s daughter greeted the coffin with tears and prayers.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a one-time rival to the late Kaczynski for the presidency, was also there.

Earlier, senior government figures lit candles for the victims.

As clocks across Poland struck midday, Poles at home and abroad came to a standstill before holding a two-minute silent tribute to those who lost their lives.

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