A small plane, with nine people on board, landed urgently, without causing any casualties, on Monday off the Ecuadorian island of San Cristobal, in the Galapagos archipelago.
“There are no missing or dead people
,” civil protection said, adding that all people on board were recovered
“in good health
. ”
The plane crashed into the sea about 1.6 km from the beach of Punta Carola, in San Cristobal, one of the populated islands located in the east of the archipelago classified by Unesco as a world heritage site. humanity for its unique fauna and flora.
It landed shortly after taking off from San Cristobal towards the island of Isabela, the largest in the Galapagos, located further west.
On videos posted on social networks, we can see the small white aircraft floating on the waters, in the tropical rain, and a zodiac coming to its aid.
The nine survivors were taken to hospital
The plane then sank, a coast guard official said, adding that the navy and park authorities would
“assess the environmental impact”
of the accident.
“We are taking the necessary measures to preserve the marine and coastal environment
,” said the regional director of aquatic spaces and island coast guards, Captain Ramiro Armijos, in a video.
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Still according to local civil protection, the nine survivors, two crew members and seven passengers including a woman and two children, were taken to the hospital in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos province, for examinations. control.
At least one Chilean citizen is believed to be part of the group of passengers.