Authorities have confirmed the identities of the 10 people who sadly lost their lives in a plane crash in Alaska.
The aircraft, carrying nine passengers and one pilot, departed from Unalakleet at 2:37PM on Thursday, bound for Nome - approximately 150 miles away.
However, less than an hour into the flight, it lost contact with officials.
A search operation was launched immediately, and rescue crews eventually located the wreckage about 34 miles southeast of Nome.
Coast Guard spokesperson Mike Salerno stated that helicopters had been deployed to the aircraft’s last known location, where two rescue swimmers were lowered to investigate the site.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Alaska, three bodies were identified inside the aircraft, while the remaining seven individuals were believed to still be within the wreckage, which was inaccessible at the time, due to the aircraft's condition.
The USCG Alaska confirmed the discovery in a statement on social media: "USCG has ended its search for the missing plane after the aircraft was located approx. 34 miles southeast of Nome. 3 individuals were found inside and reported to be deceased.
"The remaining 7 people are believed to be inside the aircraft but are currently inaccessible due to the condition of the plane. Our heartfelt condolences are with those affected by this tragic incident."
A photo shared by officials showed the crumpled aircraft resting on the ice.
The pilot has been identified as Chad Antill, 34, of Nome, per the New York Post.
The passengers were Liane Ryan, 52, and Andrew Gonzalez, 30, both of Wasilla; Kameron Hartvigson, 41, Ian Hofman, 45, and Rhone Baumgartner, 46, all of Anchorage; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; and Talaluk Katchatag, 34, and Carol Mooeres, 48, both of Unalakleet.
Officials confirmed that the victims' next of kin had been notified. Their bodies will be transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage for autopsies.
Investigators had previously reported that the aircraft experienced a “rapid loss” in elevation and speed at around 3:18PM on Thursday before disappearing from radar.
US Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble, speaking before the wreckage was discovered, noted: "[It had] some kind of event which caused them to experience a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss in speed. What that event is, I can’t speculate to."
The single-engine plane was operating at maximum capacity when it disappeared over Alaska’s Norton Sound, about 12 miles offshore, according to the state Department of Public Safety.