Al Jazeera :
A light aircraft has crashed during takeoff at a popular tourist destination in Australia, killing three people and injuring three others.
The privately owned Cessna 208 Caravan plane crashed into the sea after taking off from Rottnest Island, about 30km (18.6 miles) west of Perth, at about 4pm local time, authorities said on Wednesday.
The deceased were a 34-year-old man from Perth, a 65-year-old woman from Switzerland and a 60-year-old man from Denmark, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said.
“My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims. This is no doubt very difficult for everyone involved,” Cook told reporters at a news conference.
Cook said the crash had occurred in the presence of a large number of tourists, including families with children.
“Every Western Australian knows that Rottnest is our premier tourism destination. For something so tragic to happen in front of so many people, at a place that provides so much joy, especially at this time of the year, is deeply upsetting,” he said.
