Five dead as Thailand police plane crashes into sea near popular beach town Hua Hin

Bangkok: At least five people have died after a small police aircraft crashed into the sea near the popular beach town of Hua Hin in Thailand on Friday morning, according to officials.

The aircraft, believed to be a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter based on images from the scene, was conducting a test flight in preparation for parachute training when it went down shortly after 8 a.m., said Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong.

The plane came down approximately 100 metres off the coast near Hua Hin Airport, in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Photographs from the crash site show the wreckage partially submerged, with the fuselage split in two.

All six people on board were police officers. Initial reports indicated that five died at the scene and one succumbed to injuries in hospital. However, Archayon later clarified that one officer remains in critical condition, revising the confirmed death toll to five.

The cause of the crash is not yet known.