ANCHORAGE, Alaska 鈥� At least four people are dead, including a Canadian, after two sightseeing airplanes collided in midair Monday in southeast Alaska.
Global Affairs sa国际传媒 said in a statement that a Canadian citizen died in the crash but did not disclose any information about the victim.
鈥淥ur thoughts and sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the Canadian citizen who died in Alaska,鈥� said Guillaume B茅rub茅, a spokesperson for Global Affairs.
鈥淐anadian consular officials in Seattle are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and stand ready to provide consular assistance as required.聽To protect the privacy of the individual concerned, further details on this case cannot be released.鈥�
The latest update Tuesday from the U.S. Coast Guard said four were confirmed dead and two were missing.
The floatplanes were carrying passengers from the Royal Princess cruise ship, which sailed out of Vancouver on Saturday. An earlier news release from the cruise line said five were dead.
The accident occurred at 1:08 p.m. about eight nautical miles from Ketchikan.
One of the planes, a single-engine de Havilland Otter DHC-3 operated by Taquan Air, was flying a shore excursion sold through Princess Cruises, while the other plane, a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, belonged to an independent tour operator.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which scrambled a MH-60 Seahawk helicopter and two 45 foot rescue boats to the crash site, rescued 10 people from the downed Taquan Air floatplane, but one passenger from that aircraft was still missing.
鈥淚n a remote area such as this, given our limited resources, we rely on our partner agencies and appreciate the support聽that good Samaritans have rendered to this point,鈥� said Capt. Stephen White, Coast Guard Sector Juneau commander.
鈥淲ith the loss of life in this case, we know that the impact to Alaska聽is immense and聽our thoughts are with the community here.鈥�
The search continued through the night.
All nine rescued passengers are in hospital and listed in fair or good condition, according to Marty West, a spokeswoman for PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center.
Taquan Air has suspended operations while federal authorities investigate the deadly crash.
鈥淲e are devastated by today鈥檚 incident and our hearts go out to our passengers and their families,鈥� Taquan said in a statement. 鈥淎t this time, we are in the midst of an active crisis response, and our focus is on assisting these passengers, the pilot, our staff, their families and loved ones, and first responders.鈥�
The Federal Aviation Administration says it isn鈥檛 immediately known what caused the crash.
The planes collided under unknown circumstances, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said in an email to The Associated Press. Floatplanes have pontoons mounted under the fuselage so they can land on water.
Jerry Kiffer of Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad told KRBD radio that the DeHavilland Beaver and Otter both were in the water when rescue crews arrived at the scene.
鈥淏oth of them were near shore: One on one side of George Inlet, one on the other side,鈥� he said.
Kiffer says the Beaver was upside down in saltwater near the beach close to Mahoney Lake. The Otter was on the other side of the inlet, with 10 people on shore nearby.
The Royal Princess is currently sailing a seven-day glacier tour that started in Vancouver on May 11 and is scheduled to arrive in Anchorage on May 18.
The ship arrived in Ketchikan, a city of 13,000 located along Alaska鈥檚 southeastern panhandle, on Monday morning.
Cindy Cicchetti, a passenger aboard the Royal Princess, told AP the ship captain announced that two planes were in an accident Monday. She said the ship is not leaving as scheduled and there weren鈥檛 any details as to how the accident will affect the rest of the trip.
鈥淧rincess Cruises has activated members of its care team to provide assistance to the families impacted by today鈥檚 accident,鈥� the cruise line said in a release.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Weather conditions in the area on Monday included high overcast skies with 14 kph southeast winds.
