Jump to content
Siam Man

Lao Airline crash claims 44 (5 Thai)

Recommended Posts

Hopefully none of ours (ladyboyz) were in this tragic crash into the Mekong. Story below. Source ABC Australia

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-16/six-australians-killed-in-laos-plane-crash/5027442

 

 

aaaplane.jpg

 

 

A Lao Airlines plane has crashed into the Mekong river in Laos with neighbouring Thai officials confirming 44 deaths.

 

The twin engine turbo plane was on a domestic flight from the capital Vientiane en route to Pakse International Airport which borders the Mekong.

 

It was carrying 39 passengers and five crew members when it crashed in bad weather on Wednesday afternoon local time.

 

A Thai official says there are no survivors.

 

Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee says Laos officials informed Thailand that five Thai passengers were among the 44 people on board the flight,

 

We have been informed that all Thai passengers are dead," he told AFP, adding that he was unable to confirm if there were other casualties.

 

aaalaocrash.jpg

 

Pictures on Thai television showed a small plane, half submerged in the river, with what appeared to be bodies lying on the banks.

 

Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said: "I can now confirm, according to our reports, that all 44 people on board have died, including five Thai".

Also understood to be among the dead were 17 Lao, seven French, three South Koreans, one American, one Chinese, one Taiwanese, one Canadian and two Vietnamese.

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said he had learned of the deaths with "deep shock and great sadness" and that France was rushing embassy officials to the site of the crash.

A statement from the airline said rescue units had been sent to the scene in the hope of finding survivors and it would be informing relatives of the passengers.

It said it was investigating the cause of the crash.

The QV301 flight set off from Vientiane on time at 2:45pm (local time) and was supposed to arrive in Paske just over an hour later, but crashed as it prepared to land.

A spokesman from aircraft manufacturer ATR, in France, said the flight was one of its twin-engine turboprop ATR-72 planes, of which the airline has a fleet of six.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Its a shame when there is any needless loss of life, and knowing that river well at this time of year any initial survivors would have been washed down river.. :blush:

 

On a lighter note at least the airline didnt try to paint out the company logo.

Edited by happy LB lover

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Very sad indeed. And with no local equipment or facilities, they are struggling to find the plane or bodies. Thailand is giving support, as is the plane manufacturer ATR. The plane was only 6 months old.

 

Disturbingly, I recall a comment by a Bangkok Airways employee to me a couple of years ago. I asked why that day's BKK airways flight to Luang Prabang (on an ATR turbo prop) had been cancelled for poor visibility, when the Lao Airlines flight wasn't. Don't think I need to spell out his answer for you.

 

An awful tragedy, I hope it was a freak unavoidable accident. Not sure the black box will give that info.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

×