Tourists from France, Australia and the United States are believed to be among those killed in a plane crash in Laos. The internal flight plunged into the Mekong River while trying to land in bad weather killing 44 people.
The dead include 7 French passengers, 3 Australians and an American.
Lao Airlines flight QV301 was on an internal flight from the capital, Vientiane, to the south of the country.
The airline said in a statement that the plane was carrying 44 passengers and 5 crew.
It happened at Pakse Airport, beside the Mekong River
Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said "I can now confirm, according to our reports, that all 44 people on board have died, including five Thai".
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement he had learned of the deaths with "deep shock and great sadness".
The aircraft was preparing to land at Pakse Airport in "extreme bad weather" and reportedly crashed into the river.
The firm says it is investigating the crash, and is hoping to disclose findings by tomorrow.
