Ten Die in Plane Crash on Bahamas Independence Day

Ten individuals lost their lives, including the pilot, when a plane crashed in the Bahamas on Friday, the day the country was celebrating its Independence Day, according to police reports.

Philip Davis, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, addressed the incident during a press conference, stating, "What was supposed to be a day of celebration has turned into a day of mourning." The Bahamas marked the 53rd anniversary of its independence from the United Kingdom on that day.

The crash occurred in the northern part of the Andros archipelago, the largest group of islands in the Bahamas, located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba. The nationalities of the victims have not been identified yet.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority reported that the aircraft involved was a Cessna 402 operated by the local airline Flamingo Air. The plane was en route from the international airport in the capital city, Nassau, to San Andros Airport. The authority added that the plane reportedly encountered difficulties and struck trees before attempting to land.

The airline confirmed it is cooperating with the relevant authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Additionally, according to the Ministry of Aviation, another aircraft operated by the same company reported a fire onboard earlier that day. Media outlets reported that the airline has temporarily suspended its flight operations.