A small passenger plane, a Cessna Caravan C208B operated by the Thai Flying Service Company, took off from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on a domestic flight but crashed just 11 minutes later, killing all nine people on board. The plane departed at 2.46pm local time and air traffic control lost radio and radar contact with the aircraft when it was estimated to be 35 kilometers southeast of the airport. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane went down in a mangrove swamp in Chachoengsao province, approximately 40 kilometers from the airport. The wreckage was found surrounded by trees, with highly fragmented pieces of the plane in water. The rescuers had to wade through muddy water up to their chests to search the area, which was made more challenging by the difficult terrain and rising tide, which flooded the crash site with water.
Fears Grip Thailand’s Skies with Deadly Crash (Image via Getty)
The passengers on board included five Chinese tourists from Hong Kong, two Thai female crew members, and the Thai pilot and co-pilot. The identities of the victims were not immediately released. The cause of the crash is still unknown and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. A provincial government spokesperson described the rescuers finding badly shattered body parts in the swampy terrain after searching for about an hour.
The crash was a stark reminder of the risks and dangers associated with air travel and the devastating impact it can have on families and loved ones. The people of Thailand are left to wonder how such a tragedy could have occurred in their skies. The victims’ families are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones, and the nation is left to ponder the events that led to this tragic accident.
