11 people confirmed dead in Cameroon plane crash

DOUALA, Cameroon

The search for passengers of a plane that crashed Wednesday in a forest in central Cameroon has ended, with no survivors found, state-run television reported Thursday.

Efforts to locate the aircraft chartered by Cameroon Oil Transportation Company (COTCO), which was carrying 11 people, were coordinated by the prefect of Upper Sanaga, Albert Nanga, said Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV).

Only the body of a woman has been identified out of the 11 deceased, according to CRTV.

"The air traffic services lost radio contact with an aircraft flying from Yaounde to Nsimalen-Dompta-Belabo-Yaounde-Nsimalen on Wednesday, May 11, 2022," with 11 people on board, said Transport Minister Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe.

Following an air and ground search, the aircraft was found in a forest not far from Nanga Eboko, around 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of the capital Yaounde.

Two crew members and nine passengers were on board, according to COTCO.