Chilean plane carrying 21 people crashes near islands off Pacific Coast

Chilean plane carrying 21 people crashes near islands off Pacific Coast

2011-09-03 12:24:52 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) -- An aircraft belonging to the Chilean Air Force (FACH) crashed near a group of islands off the country's Pacific Coast on Friday, officials said. More than 20 people were on board.

The aircraft was heading towards the Juan Fernandez Islands, which are located in the South Pacific Ocean around 600 kilometers (373 miles) off the country's coast. It was carrying staff and film crew of "Buenos Días a Todos" (Good Morning Everyone), a local TV show broadcast by TVN.

Chilean Armada deployed the 'Lynch' frigate to carry out search and rescue efforts in the region, and further operations will be carried out on early Saturday morning at first light.

Leopoldo Gonzalez, Governor of Juan Fernandez, said little information was available. He stated that items belonging to the passengers, such as a Coleman container and shoes, were located at sea, indicating that the aircraft had crashed.

TVN Executive Director Mauro Valdes confirmed that the TV crew was on board the aircraft, which had parted at around 2 p.m. local time. Among those on board were Felipe Camiroaga, Roberto Bruce, Rodrigo Cabezon, Carolina Gatica, and Silvia Slier. The group was going to cover the islands' earthquake reconstruction efforts.

The reason of the accident remains uncertain, but harsh weather conditions could have made the landing difficult, as it was found on the opposite side of its destination. The aircraft was last contacted at 4:48 p.m. local time.

The Juan Fernandez Islands are known for possibly inspiring Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe' novel after sailor Alexander Selkirk lived on one of the islands for four years as a castaway.

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