Alaska Planes Collide: Cruise Floatplanes Crash Into Each Other Mid-Air, 5 Dead

Two floatplanes carrying passengers from cruise ships collided mid-air in Alaska on Monday afternoon, killing five.

The planes were carrying a total of 16 people including 14 passengers from two Royal Princess cruise ships who were on a roundtrip from Vancouver, Canada. The cruise company confirmed the incident and said four cruise goers and a pilot were killed and one person was missing. While one of the floatplanes was carrying 11 people, the other plane was carrying five people.

"We are incredibly distressed by this situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with those onboard the planes and their families. Princess Cruises is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved,” the cruise company said.

Helicopters and boats were dispatched for search-and-rescue operations. A passing ship rescued 10 people involved in the accident, three of whom were hospitalized in serious condition.

Taquan Air, the company which operated the plane involved in the crash, said all flights were suspended for the day.

"We are devastated by today's incident and our hearts go out to our passengers and their families. At this time, we are in the midst of an active crisis response, and our focus is on assisting these passengers, the pilot, our staff, their families and loved ones, and first responders,” the company said.