.jpg)
A Lao
Airlines plane crashed as it prepared to land during poor weather in southern
Laos on Wednesday afternoon, killing what witnesses said were dozens of
passengers, according to the country's national news agency, KPL.
Witnesses
said at least 47 people were killed in the crash near the Champasak provincial
capital of Pakse, KPL reported, though Laotian authorities have yet to release
an official death toll.
The ATR
propeller-driven plane was preparing to land when a wind gust appeared to push
it away from the airport, KPL reported. The plane crashed on or near an island
in the Mekong River, according to KPL.
Remnants
of Typhone Nari have
been hitting the area. Pakse has received more than 3.9 inches of rain since
Tuesday.
The plane
was headed from the Laotian capital, Vientiane, to Pakse, an official with the
Thai Foreign Ministry said. The official, who did not want to be identified,
said Thai nationals were among those on board.
At least
seven French nationals were among the dead, French Foreign Minister Laurent
Fabius said in a statement Wednesday.
"Our
first thoughts go to the victims' families and loved ones, to whom I address
all my condolences," Fabius said.
About Unknown
0 comments :
Post a Comment