PORT-LOUIS, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - An epidemic of African swine fever has hit the tiny Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, which announced Wednesday that it would cull almost two thirds of its pig population.

'This is a crisis and urgent measures have to be taken: we think some 10,000 pigs will have to be culled and incinerated in the coming days,' Agriculture Minister Arvin Boolell told AFP.

HONG KONG, Aug 30, 2007 (AFP) - At least 26 people were injured Thursday when a flight from Mauritius suffered severe turbulence on its way to Hong Kong, officials said.

The Air Mauritius MK 640 flight called Hong Kong air authorities for help at 12:23 pm (0423 GMT) saying some passengers had been injured after the plane was buffeted in the air, an airport authority spokesman told AFP.

The plane landed 25 minutes later, with ambulances on standby, he added.