Plane carrying eleven people crashes off Florida coast

A plane carrying 11 people crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida on May 12, prompting a large-scale emergency response by the United States Coast Guard and local authorities.

The Coast Guard’s Southeast Division said the aircraft went down approximately 80 miles offshore near Melbourne. Rescue teams were dispatched immediately after the incident was reported. Officials said all 11 people aboard the aircraft have been accounted for and were transported to emergency medical services for evaluation, Caliber.Az reports per US media. 

According to Brevard County authorities, all passengers were later taken to hospital for treatment. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane had been traveling between islands in the Bahamas when it crashed. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Authorities have not determined why the aircraft went down, but severe weather was reported in the area at the time of the crash.

According to the FOX Forecast Center and the National Weather Service, conditions near Melbourne included strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms, with an 80% chance of precipitation.

Investigators are expected to examine weather conditions, flight data, and the aircraft’s operational status as part of the ongoing inquiry.

By Sabina Mammadli