A small plane crashed in the middle of a busy street in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, on Wednesday, claiming six lives.
Watch: Aftermath of Haiti plane crash
Per Reuters, flight records pulled by officials show the small aircraft took off from the capital’s airport 15:44 EST (21:44 CAT) and was headed towards Jacmel.
However, disaster struck about 20 minutes into the flight. According to Haitian aviation authorities, a distress alert came in from the small plane at approximately 16:04 EST (22:04 CAT), only moments before nosedived into a busy street.
Reports making the rounds on social media suggest the plane was reportedly owned by former Senator Hervé Fourcand, a politician whose reputation was muddied by links to drug and arms trafficking.
Small plane owned by former Senator Hervé Fourcand, implicated in drug and arms trafficking crashed today. Several died including the pilot. The plane was deregistered in the US in 2021 and exported to #Haiti, and it looks like its been illegally transporting passengers since. pic.twitter.com/9WL4GvqSCn
— Madame Boukman – Justice 4 Haiti 🇭🇹 (@madanboukman) April 21, 2022
Haiti’s prime minister Ariel Henry sent his condolences to the victims families, “who have been just plunged into the greatest desolation by this new tragedy.”
Je suis profondément attristé, suite au crash d’un petit avion sur la route de Carrefour, ayant causé des morts et des blessés. J’adresse mes sympathies aux familles des victimes, que ce nouveau drame vient de plonger dans la plus grande désolation.#Haïti
— Dr Ariel Henry (@DrArielHenry) April 20, 2022
The aftermath of the small plane crash in Haiti was caught on camera by eyewitnesses.
PLEASE NOTE: The video footage embedded below contains graphic imagery that may be harmful for sensitive viewers. Viewers’ discretion is strongly advised.
#Haiti
— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) April 21, 2022
*potentially disturbing – graphic*
A small plane crashed onto a busy street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, killing 6 people. pic.twitter.com/9juDfrHx01
#BREAKING #HAITI
— loveworld (@LoveWorld_Peopl) April 20, 2022
🔴 HAITI : #VIDEO FATAL PLANE CRASH ON A POPULATED AREA !
At least 6 people killed, after a plane crash-landed on Route des Rails.
The plane hit vehicles on the road.#BreakingNews #PlaneCrash #Accident #Accidente #AccidenteAero pic.twitter.com/4e1IcYbu31
