Poles mark anniversary of plane crash tragedy

The loved ones of many victims gathered early on Sunday for a Mass at Warsaw's airport, where 96 flag-draped coffins were returned to Poland last year after the disaster near Smolensk, Russia. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

WARSAW - POLES are filling churches and cemeteries to mark the one-year anniversary of the plane crash that killed President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others.

The loved ones of many victims gathered early on Sunday for a Mass at Warsaw's airport, where 96 flag-draped coffins were returned to Poland last year after the disaster near Smolensk, Russia.

At the time, the country united in mourning their president, first lady and many ranking military and civilian leaders.

The disaster, however, quickly deepened political and social divisions in the country. As a sign of that, rival commemoration events are being held Sunday.

Late on Saturday hundreds marched past the presidential palace in central Warsaw carrying flags and chanting Kaczynski's name. 

-- AP