European shares opened sharply lower, in line with US and Asian markets, on fears that the global economy will enter a prolonged downturn.
Dow Jones closed below 8,000 for the first time in over five years as shares of banks and the three big car makers tumbled, while Asian shares were also hit overnight.
On this side of the pond, is leading the fallers in Paris after the airline saw second-quarter profits plunge due to high fuel prices.
Elsewhere in the sector, the Italian government has agreed to sell the troubled airline to an Italian business consortium.
Financials are down, led lower by Switzerland's and Dutch firm.
Energy majors are also stuck in the red after crude oil fell for the fourth consecutive session after a government report showed a bigger than expected hike in crude supplies, underlining fears that demand is waning. and are lower.
Across the markets, the German DAX fell 122 points to 4,231, the French CAC is 86 points lower at 3,001, while the Swiss market dropped 210 points to 5,313.
