On April 10, 2010, the President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, tragically died in a plane crash near Smolensk, Russia. The plane, a Tupolev Tu-154M, was carrying President Kaczyński, along with his wife Maria Kaczyńska, several senior Polish government officials, military officers, and other dignitaries, as well as the crew.
The delegation was en route to attend a memorial ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, in which thousands of Polish military officers, policemen, and other officials were executed by the Soviet secret police during World War II.
The plane crashed while attempting to land at the Smolensk North Airport under adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog. All 96 people on board, including President Kaczyński and his wife, were killed in the crash.
The loss of President Kaczyński and other prominent figures in the Polish government and military was a profound tragedy for Poland and led to a period of national mourning. The incident also sparked investigations and inquiries into the causes of the crash, with some controversy and speculation surrounding the circumstances and aftermath.
President Kaczyński was succeeded by Bronisław Komorowski, who served as the acting President of Poland until the presidential election later that year. The crash remains a significant event in Polish history and continues to be remembered as a national tragedy.
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