17/09/2007

Britons Feared Dead in Thai Plane Crash

A number of Britons are feared to be among the dead in a plane crash in Thailand.

According to Thai officials, at least 89 passengers and crew were killed when the One-Two-Go budget airlines jet crashed while trying to land at Phuket airport in heavy rain on Sunday.

It has been confirmed that a 22-year-old Northern Ireland man was killed in the crash. Aaron Toland, from Londonderry, was confirmed dead by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

However, the British Ambassador in Thailand, Quinton Quayle, told reporters that he believed that several Britons had been killed in the crash.

According to reports, 41 people survived the crash including up to seven Britons. It was also reported that five crash survivors are being treated in hospital for severe burns. They are all believed to be critically ill.

Air accident investigators have recovered the flight recorders from the plane, but it is escaped to be several weeks before the cause of the crash is known.

A phoneline for Britons concerned about relatives has been set up by the Foreign Office. It can be contacted on: 0207008000. One-Two-Go has also established a hotline for those concerned about relatives. It can be contacted on: 0066 859 113438.

(KMcA)

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