French plane with European Mumbai survivors due Paris Saturday

(PARIS) - A French plane sent to India to bring back around 100 European survivors of the Mumbai attacks is due to land in Paris on Saturday, a diplomatic source said late Friday.

The Airbus A310, with medical facilities aboard, was despatched Thursday to fetch some 30 French nationals and another 70-odd Europeans caught up in the carnage, and is due at Charles de Gaulle airport around mid-day (1100 GMT).

Those injured in the attacks and during the subsequent hostage drama are expected to remain in Mumbai for the time being.

The plane will also be bringing back lawmakers from the European Parliament -- two Britons, two Germans, a Hungarian, a Pole and a Spaniard -- who were in the Indian financial capital along with six European Commission officials and three interpreters.

Up to 155 people died and 327 others were wounded in the series of coordinated attacks by Islamic militants in Mumbai, Indian media reported in their early Saturday editions.

At least 17 foreigners died including the founder of a French lingerie line and her husband.