Three bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a seaplane after it crashed into the ocean as dozens of horrified beachgoers looked on.
A pilot and six passengers were on board when the privately owned Cessna 208 plunged into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island, 19 kilometers off the coast of Perth, Western Australia, on Tuesday afternoon. .
WA Premier Roger Cook confirmed on Wednesday that police divers had recovered the bodies of three victims from the rubble overnight.
Those victims included the pilot, 34, a Swiss tourist, 65, and a Danish tourist, 60. Four other people were rescued from the water and three were taken to hospital with “varying levels of serious injuries.”
“Recovering deceased persons is truly challenging and challenging in itself, and the task of recovering bodies from a submerged fuselage at night is a challenge,” Cook said at a news conference Wednesday.
‘In eight meters of water, it would have been a difficult and challenging task.
‘So I would join everyone else in recognizing the efforts of those people, particularly the divers who took part.
‘My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims. This is undoubtedly very difficult for everyone involved and, on behalf of all Western Australians, I want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.’
Three bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a seaplane (pictured) that crashed into the ocean in front of dozens of shocked beachgoers.
Four people were rescued from the water and three were airlifted to hospital (pictured)
WA Police Commissioner Colonel Blanch (pictured) said parts of the wreckage were still submerged eight meters below the ocean surface.
Four survivors were pulled from the water after the accident and three of them were airlifted to hospital with various injuries.
Cook said several civilian boats participated in the rescue, pulling survivors from the water and returning them to shore.
“I want to reinforce my thanks to everyone who was present and were probably on holiday and having the time of their lives as many Western Australians do on Rottnest Island, and immediately jumped in to support the emergency services to save lives.” , said.
WA Police Commissioner Colonel Blanch said parts of the wreckage were still submerged eight meters below the ocean’s surface and authorities would be working to remove all debris from the water.
He said there was a 200-metre exclusion zone in place while police and Australian Transport Safety Bureau officers carried out investigations and recovered the remaining parts of the plane.
Police are working with passengers who survived the crash to understand why the plane plummeted moments after takeoff.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirmed on Wednesday it was investigating the accident.
Pictured is the mangled remains of the privately owned Cessna 208 on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was terrible news.
“The footage would have been seen by all Australians when they woke up this morning and our hearts go out to everyone involved,” Mr Albanese said.
Heartbreaking images emerged of the seaplane crashing into the ocean shortly after takeoff.
The video, filmed by horrified onlookers, showed the Cessna 208 struggling to take off before turning sharply to the left.
The wingtip hit the water before the plane nose-dived into the ocean at Phillip Rock, at the entrance to Thompson Bay.