French troops arrive at this desolate site in northern Mali.<br/> <br />The Air Algerie plane crashed here on Thursday on its way from Algeria to Burkina Faso.<br/> <br />Nearly half of the 118 people on board were from France.<br/> <br />The French president said that all the bodies would be flown to France but Mali officials say the shredded and burned remains would be too difficult to recover.<br/> <br />These French troops, along with Malian and Dutch soldiers, have secured the crash site. They're accompanied by experts from France's Aviation group BEA.<br/> <br />The plane's two black box flight recorders have already been found.<br/> <br />Now these specialists hope to work out what caused the crash. Although, initial evidence points to poor weather.<br/> <br />A headstone will be placed here to remember the victims.<br/> <br />On Monday France began three days of mourning, flags flying at half staff in respect for the dead.
