Top Polish leaders, including President Lech Kaczyński, lost in deadly plane crash

Last night, as much of America slept, a terrible tragedy befell the nation of Poland. A Tupolev Tu-154M, carrying the Polish president, several Polish military commanders, and other top government officials crashed outside of Smolensk in Russia, killing every person on board, including the eight crew members.

The delegation had been traveling to Russia to mark the seventieth anniversary of the Katyn massacre, itself a very grevious moment in Polish history.

Although the cause of the crash is not yet known, news reports have suggested it may have been pilot error, as Russian ground control had advised the crew to try to land elsewhere due to heavy fog. The plane reportedly struck treetops during the pilot's fourth attempt to land, leading to the aircraft's destruction.

Courtesy of the New Warsaw Express, here is an incomplete list of the deceased, illustrating just how many Polish political leaders perished:

• President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria Kaczynska
• Aleksander Szczyglo, head of the National Security Bureau
• Wladyslaw Stasiak, the president’s chief of staff
• Slawomir Skrzypek, governor of the National Bank of Poland
• Franciszek Gagor, general and chief of staff of the Polish military
• Janusz Kochanowski, civic rights ombudsman
• Ryszard Kaczorowski, Poland’s last president in exile
• Janusz Kurtyka, head of the National Remembrance Institute
• Jerzy Szmajdzinski, deputy speaker of Sejm, lower house of Parliament
• Andrzej Kremer, deputy foreign minister
• Aleksander Szczyglo, head of the National Security Bureau
• Wladyslaw Stasiak, the president’s chief of staff
• Slawomir Skrzypek, governor of the National Bank of Poland
• Franciszek Gagor, general and chief of staff of the Polish military
• Janusz Kochanowski, civic rights ombudsman
• Ryszard Kaczorowski, Poland’s last president in exile
• Janusz Kurtyka, head of the National Remembrance Institute
• Jerzy Szmajdzinski, deputy speaker of Sejm, lower house of Parliament
• Andrzej Kremer, deputy foreign minister
• Krzysztof Putra, deputy speaker of the Senate
• Krystyna Bochenek, deputy speaker of the Senate
• Jerzy Bahr, Polish ambassador in Moscow
• Stanislaw Komorowski, deputy defense minister
• Tadeusz Ploski, general and bishop plus other clergy

A national week of mourning has been declared in Poland. International reaction has been swift and heartfelt, with heads of state on every continent except Antarctica releasing statements of sympathy. President Obama's was as follows:

Today, I called Polish Prime Minister Tusk to express Michelle's and my deepest condolences to the people of Poland on the tragic deaths this morning of President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria Kaczynski, and all who were traveling with them to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kaczynski family, the loved ones of those killed in this tragic plane crash, and the Polish nation.

Today’s loss is devastating to Poland, to the United States, and to the world. President Kaczynski was a distinguished statesman who played a key role in the Solidarity movement, and he was widely admired in the United States as a leader dedicated to advancing freedom and human dignity. With him were many of Poland’s most distinguished civilian and military leaders who have helped to shape Poland’s inspiring democratic transformation. We join all the people of Poland in mourning their passing.

Today, there are heavy hearts across America. The United States cherishes its deep and abiding bonds with the people of Poland. Those bonds are represented in the strength of our alliance, the friendships among our people, and the extraordinary contributions of Polish-Americans who have helped to shape our nation.

It is a testament to the strength of the Polish people that those who were lost were travelling to commemorate a devastating massacre of World War II as the leaders of a strong, vibrant, and free Poland. That strength will ensure that Poland emerges from the depths of this unthinkable tragedy, and that the legacy of the leaders who died today will be a light that continues to guide Poland – and the world – in the direction of human progress.

The Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association is inviting its members to gather in sympathy at one o'clock tomorrow at the Polish Home in Seattle. Gydnia is one of Poland's largest cities; it is an important seaport on the Baltic coast.

We at NPI extend our deepest condolences to the people of Poland, and Poland expatriates abroad, especially those here in the Pacific Northwest. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.