A passenger plane with 58 people on board has
plunged into a river outside the Taiwanese
capital Taipei, killing nine people, according to
national media reports.
About 16 people were rescued, but dozens were
still trapped inside, reports said.
The TransAsia ATR 72-600 turboprop plane was
on a domestic flight when it hit a road bridge
before crashing into the river, the reports said.
Rescuers were trying to reach the trapped
passengers, they said.
Television footage showed passengers wearing
life jackets wading and swimming clear of the
river.
Emergency rescue officials in inflatable boats
crowded around the partially submerged
fuselage, lying on its side in the river, trying to
help those on board.
The civilian aeronautic authority said soon after
the crash that two people had been killed.
Taiwanese television later reported the death toll
had risen to nine.
The aeronautic authority reported 16 people had
been rescued, meaning as many as 33 people
were still missing, according to the Reuters news
agency.
Other Taiwanese government authorities said the
plane was carrying 58 passengers and crew,
including 31 tourists from mainland China, the
agency said.
The weather appeared to be clear when the
plane took off. Television pictures also showed
some damage to a bridge next to the river, with
small pieces of the aircraft scattered along the
road.
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