Bahamas plane crash kills 10 near Nassau as Flamingo Air suspended after incidents | World | News

Multiple deaths have been confirmed following a plane crash in the Bahamas that killed 10 people and led authorities to temporarily suspend Flamingo Air operations.

The tragic incident occurred off North Andros, located in the waters just west of the archipelago’s capital, Nassau.

Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis initially announced that one person had survived, but later confirmed at a press conference that the person had died from his injuries. The identities of the victims have not been made public.

“We are gathered under a cloud of great sadness,” he said, acknowledging that citizens were celebrating the Bahamas’ 53rd anniversary of independence. “Today has become a day of mourning. … We offer our deepest condolences to every family who has received the devastating news that a loved one will not be returning home.”

The Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority confirmed in a statement that the plane had left Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was headed to San Andros when it crashed. Authorities determined the plane was a Cessna 402 registered in the Bahamas.

The Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation announced in a statement that revoking Flamingo Air’s air operator certificate was merely a precautionary safety measure while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. The suspension followed two security incidents that occurred on Friday, the ministry said.

During the press conference, Energy, Utilities and Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis revealed that the first incident occurred on a Flamingo Air flight in the early hours of Friday. When the pilot flagged a concern and returned to Nassau, he explained that he was traveling to Mayaguana.

He stated that after the plane landed and the passengers got off, the plane was engulfed in flames. That incident is also subject to investigation.