The chilly night air was slowly filled with a warm breeze of burning wax from candles - red, white, green - as Poles gathered to mourn their President and first lady.
Just 12 hours earlier they heard the news of a plane crash in Russia with 96 dead and, for many, it was still unreal last night.
At Pilsudski Square, Warsovians drifted back in shock to the place where they last mourned five years ago.
"This is about the country's solidarity, a moment of tragedy and solidarity, like when the pope died. We are back again," said Agata, 26.
Many mourners waved away journalists, too upset to speak.
"I thought it was a joke when I heard but now I'm shocked and becoming more shocked by the minute," said Lukas, 24.
Jerzy Petrowicz, 72, lost his father in Katyn. He lit a candle for the Polish delegation who died en route to remember the massacre of 22,000 Polish officers by Soviet forces 70 years ago.
"Perhaps they died to remind the world of Katyn, the forgotten tragedy," he said, fighting back tears.
The bodies of President Kaczynski, his wife Maria and delegation will be flown home on Sunday morning.
