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Cruise passengers killed in seaplane crash
Eight holidaymakers on a Holland America Line cruise have been killed in a light aircraft crash in Alaska.
The seaplane was on a shore excursion near Ella Lake in the Misty Fjords area.
The pilot of the single-engine prop plane was also killed.
The cruise passengers were all from the US. Efforts to recover their bodies have been hampered by bad weather.
The passengers had been on the Holland America ship Westerdam, which had left Seattle on Saturday on a seven-day Alaska cruise.
Holland America issued a statement which said: "All of us at Holland America Line are incredibly saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those lost in this tragic accident."
The names of the passengers and crew member have not been released, pending notification of their next of kin.
Promech Air, which was operating the flight, said a full investigation was now underway into the cause of the crash.
"There is nothing I can say that can alleviate the pain and overwhelming sense of loss that we and the loved ones of those affected are feeling," said Marcus Sessoms, president of Promech Air.
"At this moment, all of us share the pain and anguish of this terrible event. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to everyone touched by this tragedy.
"During this time of grief, our employees are working to do everything we can to extend support and assistance to the loved ones of those affected."
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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