A light aircraft crashed near Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, Western Australia, on Tuesday afternoon, leaving three people dead and three others injured, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
The aircraft, carrying six tourists, went down near Rottnest Island, a popular destination about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) west of Perth. Reuters reported that the crash claimed the lives of the 34-year-old pilot, a 65-year-old Swiss woman, and a 60-year-old Danish man. Three other passengers were injured, while one person escaped unharmed.
Western Australia’s Premier, Roger Cook, expressed condolences at a news conference: “My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims. This is no doubt very difficult for everyone involved.”
The plane, operated by Swan River Seaplanes, was returning to its Perth base when the crash occurred. Search and rescue teams retrieved the wreckage from the sea, and police divers recovered the bodies of the deceased on Tuesday night from a depth of 8 meters (26 feet).
Premier Cook confirmed the survivors included a 63-year-old Australian man and a 65-year-old Australian woman, who were taken to the hospital with injuries. He added that the cause of the crash was under investigation, although unconfirmed reports suggested the aircraft might have struck a rock near a bay on the island’s west side.
“This tragedy, in one of our most beloved tourism destinations, is deeply upsetting, especially at this time of the year,” Cook said. “Rottnest Island is a place of joy for so many, and to have something so devastating happen there is hard to comprehend.”
Rottnest Island is known for its pristine beaches and quokkas, small marsupials rarely found on mainland Australia. The island is particularly busy during the Southern Hemisphere summer months, with tourist accommodations fully booked.
The crash prompted a swift multi-agency response after police received several emergency calls around 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
“Importantly, members of the public who witnessed the crash immediately stepped in to save lives,” said Police Commissioner Col Blanch.