17 killed in Laos plane crash

Vientiane, May 17 (IANS) At least 17 people have been confirmed killed and five injured Saturday after an aircraft carrying representatives of the Laos government crashed, an official said.

The air crash happened around 6.30 a.m. about 1.5 km from Xieng Khouang province's airport, Xinhua reported.

Among the passengers the AN-74TK300 aircraft was carrying was Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Minister of Defence Douangchay Phichit, the minister of public security, the secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party's Central Committee, the chairman of the Propaganda Training Committee, and the mayor of Vientiane.

The Laos defence ministry said that the government officials were on their way to attend an event to commemorate the creation of the Lao Army's 2nd Division.