An Air France plane which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, did not break up mid-air, French investigators have said.

Almost 230 people died when the Airbus crashed into the ocean while travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on July 1st.

Early reports suggested the scattering of the debris discovered in the ocean and the injuries sustained by the bodies recovered showed the plane broke up.

However, French officials said today the plane in fact plunged vertically into the ocean.

French and Brazilian rescue teams are continuing to search the crash site for debris and the crucial black box recorders. The search is expected to last a further ten days.

travelbite.co.uk staff