Six killed in Alaska sightseeing plane crash

International

7-08-2021, 09:59

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INA-sources

A sightseeing plane has crashed in southeastern Alaska, killing all six people on board, according to the United States coastguard.
The plane’s emergency alert beacon was activated at about 11:20am local time on Thursday as it crashed in the area of Misty Fjords National Monument, near the city of Ketchikan, the coastguard and Federal Aviation Administration said.
A helicopter company reported seeing wreckage on a ridgeline in the search area, and coastguard crew members found the wreckage at about 2:40pm. The Alaska State Troopers said in a statement that “poor visibility and deteriorating weather hampered aerial search efforts for part of the afternoon”.
A coastguard helicopter lowered two rescue swimmers to the site, and they reported no survivors, the agency said.
Five passengers on the flight were from the Holland America Line cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam, the company said in a statement. The ship stopped in Ketchikan on Thursday and delayed its afternoon departure after the plane crash. The company said it was making counselling services available to guests and crew.
“The float plane excursion was offered by an independent tour operator and not sold by Holland America Line,” the statement said.
Ketchikan is a popular stop for cruise ships visiting Alaska, and cruise ship passengers can take various sightseeing excursions while in port.