Three people reported dead in plane crash in Neuchâtel mountains
The plane crashed in a steep, difficult to access area in the mountains in canton Neuchâtel.
Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott
A passenger plane crashed Saturday morning in steep terrain near Ponts-de-Martel in the mountains in canton Neuchâtel. The pilot and two passengers died in the crash according to the cantonal police, following a report by local broadcaster RTN.
The accident occurred around 10:20 on Saturday morning in a forest called La Combe Dernier in Ponts-de-Martel. The pilot and the only two passengers died at the site of the crash, indicated the cantonal police in a media statementExternal link on Saturday afternoon.
SRF news
The aircraft, registered in Switzerland, took off in the morning from La Chaux-de-Fonds airport and was on a sightseeing flight.
“Significant rescue resources were deployed to the scene. The wreckage of the aircraft was in a particularly steep place, making for a delicate rescue effort,” wrote the police.
The area is temporarily closed to the public. Authorities have opened an investigation to establish the causes and circumstances of the crash.
This story has been updated with statements from the police.
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