Sweden Plane Crash Kills Nine

 Swedish emergency services have confirmed that nine people have died following a small plane crash in northern Sweden on Sunday (14 July) in the afternoon.

Research looks at smartphones

The National Air Accident Investigation Board has begun its official investigation. They are currently examining victims ' smartphones to look for relevant altitude and position data, as there is no flight data recorder on small aircraft. The shipwreck will soon be transferred to its National Laboratory.

It crashed shortly after takeoff

Emergency services received a call shortly after 2pm local time. The plane took off at 1.30 pm from Umeå airport on Sweden's East Coast and crashed on Storsandskar island into a river about 1.5 miles south of the city shortly afterwards. The cause is not yet known.

"We are already at the scene with a rescue team that is assisting the ambulance and have opened a location, along with relief organizations, to provide psychological and social care," said Conny Qvarfordt of the local rescue service, according to The Local.

Swedish national broadcaster SVT reports that the small sports plane was carrying a group of people with the intention of making parachute jumps. There were eight passengers intending to jump and one pilot. It is not yet known whether any of the paratroopers jumped immediately before the accident.

The nine victims had Swedish citizenship and lived in the local area. One held dual citizenship. While family members have been informed, the identification process has not been formally concluded, so no further details are being shared with the public.

Umeå airport operator Swedavia said the plane was a GippsAero GA8 Airvan, an eight-seater single-engine aircraft similar to a Cessna.

Eyewitnesses

A local of 16 years captured the last moments of the plane in front of the camera, evidence that will undoubtedly be useful in the investigation. He told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that he came out when he heard a high-pitched sound. He then watched as the plane plunged out of sight, before hearing a loud bang.

Officials of the Västerbotten regional authority have said that staffing levels at the Regional hospital have been increased and that the municipality has convened in its crisis Management Group. Parts of the airport are open for relief organizations, while the Umeå Church has offered support to eyewitnesses and family members of those involved.

Local police have said that parts of the plane were separated during the crash, including one of the wings. They are urging anyone who finds items they believe may be related to the accident to get in touch.

PM: great pain

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven issued a written statement shortly after the incident, speaking of his great pain. "I think of the dead and their relatives at this difficult time. The government is in close contact with the relevant authorities, and it is now important to investigate the cause," he said.

Trip interruption

Air traffic in and out of Umeå airport seems to be unaffected at present. However, the police have called for a halt to train traffic. A spokesman for SJ, Sweden's rail operator, told SVT that they believe it is connected to the plane crash, but police have given them very little information.