Paparazzi held by French Police

Several photographers are in police custody in France following the car crash that killed Princess Diana, her companion Dodi Fayed and a chauffeur. Their car was apparently being trailed by press photographers.

France Info radio said at least some of the photographers took pictures before help arrived and that one of the photographers was beaten at the scene by horrified witnesses.

According to a French government official, Princess Diana's driver is thought to have lost control of his car during the pursuit.

Interior Minister Jean-Pierre Chevenement said: "preliminary investigations show that the princess's car was being chased by journalists who were trying to take photographs. "It appears that the driver lost control of the car while driving at high speed."

Police sources said that seven press photographers were being questioned after the crash. The photographers were French nationals, the sources said.