Distraught relatives prepare for the worst as they wait for news of Air France flight AF 477, which disappeared off the radar between Brazil and France early on Monday.
The plane, pictured here at a Texas airport in 2006, was last heard from about four hours into its flight as it hit storms and severe turbulence deep over the Atlantic.
As news came through of the plane's disappearance, French police evacuated Terminal 2E of Charles de Gaulle airport to prepare a crisis centre.
Relatives and friends of those on board were directed to the crisis centre, where counselling services were made available.
Similar services were set up at Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro for Brazil-based relatives and friends.
Many were met by members of the media, which has been following the story closely.
A major search is under way with Brazilian and French planes and ships. Paris has asked for the help of US satellite equipment to help locate the crash site.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, visiting relatives at Charles De Gaulle airport, warned that the chances of finding survivors were "very small".
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