TWO pilots and up to seven tourists are feared dead after a private plane plunged into a swamp in Thailand, local media reports.
The aircraft carrying holidaymakers horrifically crashed and burst into flames – with locals saying they heard an explosion.
The plane took off from Bangkok and was set to carry the reported European family to beach hotspot Trat province – nearly 300km away.
But the aircraft didn’t make it and plunged into a swamp in Chachoengsao province shortly before 3:30pm local time.
Authorities are currently desperately searching for missing pilots and passengers.
Images of the scene show the wreckage dispersed around the forest along with clothes and belongings.
Resident Ang Trasawat, 69, said he heard a loud explosion before running to the crash site where he horrifically discovered fragments of the plane.
He said: “There were explosions in the air. Before the plane fell, the sound was loud, then the plane fell to the ground.
“After that, I ran to see the scene. Pieces of the plane had been scattered around, including near a house.”
Preecha Boontham, 56, added: “I heard the plane accelerating very loudly. There was no smoke coming out.
“Then the plane descended towards the fields and landed in the mangrove forest.
“It was a small white plane with two wings. After the crash, there was a loud explosion.”
It was reportedly being used for a private charter flight when the crash occurred.
Records show it departed from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok at 2.46pm on August 22, bound for Koh Mai Si Airport in Trat, with flight TFT209, before losing signal at 2.57pm.
Cops said they’ve closed the area while they search.
Police Lieutenant Warayut Chanwichumet said they received a report of the crash and sent cops and paramedics to the scene.
At the site, they found the wreckage of the plane scattered in the mud across an area of approximately 328ft.
They were unable to locate any pilot or passengers but discovered baggage from those onboard, as images show.
The police officer said: “We have blocked off the area to prevent further accidents due to an oil leak from the plane.
“We have inspected the wreckage and have not yet found any pilot or passengers.
“We will expand the search radius and dig the ground beneath the wreckage to locate the pilot and passengers.
“We will also inspect the flight information to determine the plane’s owner and the number of passengers.”
