Seven killed in Dominican Republic plane crash

A Piper PA-32 is believed to have been involved in the crash

Seven people have died following a light aircraft crash in the Dominican Republic, with the dead believed to include the pilot and six tourists.

The single-engine Piper PA-32 came down shortly after take-off from Punta Cana Airport on route to Arroyo Barril Airport, Samana.

It crashed in the Cocotal residential are of the Bavaro-Punta Cana region where fire-fighters extinguished the ensuing blaze.

Tourism police local commander Duran Infante said the crash site was cordoned off with five bodies recovered.

He added seven people were in the aircraft.

Punta Cana Airport’s tower reported it had lost contact with the plane once it took off.

The nationalities of those killed are being investigated.

However, it is no longer believed Britons are among those killed.

A statement from the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “We are liaising with the authorities in the Dominican Republic following reports of a plane crash in the Punta Cana region of the country.

“Engagement with the local police suggests no British nationals were involved in the incident.”