Photos from the scene appear to show the wreckage of the plane after it crashed in Thailand on Thursday, August 22.
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A stock photo of a private Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft
A private jet believed to be carrying nine people has crashed into a mangrove forest in Thailand.
On Thursday, August 22, the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft took off from Bangkok, carrying a European family to Trat province in the southeastern corner of the country. Asia Pacific Press mentioned.
The plane crashed behind Wat Khao Din in the Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao at around 3:18 p.m. local time, the Bangkok Post.
According to local media, including the Thai Public Broadcaster (Thai PBS) There were seven passengers and two crew members on board. Photos from the scene appeared to show the plane’s wreckage and clothing was found at the site.
The Royal Thai Police did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.
According to Thai PBS, the plane was en route to Ko Mai Si airport and took off at 2:46 p.m. local time before losing signal around 2:57 p.m.
Police Lt. Warayut Chanwichumet, deputy chief of investigation at Bangpakong police station, said of the crash: “We have cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents caused by an oil leak from the plane,” the report said. The Mirror.
“We have inspected the wreckage and have not yet found the pilot or passengers. We will expand the search radius and excavate the ground beneath the wreckage to find the pilot and passengers,” the officer added, according to the outlet.
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Mangrove forest in Chachoengsao, Thailand
Locals said they heard an explosion before the crash.
Ang Trasawat, 69, said: “There were explosions in the sky. Before the plane fell, the sound was loud, then the plane fell to the ground. Then I ran to check the scene. Pieces of the plane were scattered, including near a house,” he said. The Mirror.
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“I heard the plane accelerating very hard. There was no smoke coming out. Then the plane descended towards the fields and landed in the mangrove forest. It was a small white plane with two wings. After the crash, there was a loud explosion,” Preecha Boontham, 56, added, according to the publication.
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