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According to Reuters, the benchmark index was down 49.31 points at 09:05 GMT, with sliding metal prices and worries over the global economic recovery hitting the mining sector.
There were falls of as much as 2.1 per cent for Antofagasta, Rio Tinto and Vedanta Resources, while BG Group retreated 4.1 per cent after it posted lower-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter.
Joshua Raymond of City Index explained that "there has been a significant move by investors to risk aversion over the last 48 hours".
"Riskier equities" have suffered falls as traders move to defensives like the dollar and yen, he noted.
However, there have been some gains on the index this morning, with Compass and British Airways both rising after they posted financial results that were ahead of expectations.
Mr Raymond described the catering group and airline as two of today's "success stories".
Posted by Greg Secker
