By Salim Jiwa
Vancouver, Nov 30 (IANS) The bodies of six people, including a child, were recovered Monday from a float plane that crashed Sunday shortly after takeoff in Canada’s Saturna Island.

Troy Haddock, maritime coordinator for the Rescue Coordination Centre, told IANS that a divers’ team located the plane with great difficulty because visibility in the water was less than three feet.

He said the diver team members could not remain in position as they struggled to retrieve the bodies.

The aircraft carrying eight smashed back into the water shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday in the waters of Lyall Harbour, off Saturna Island.

“Early reports indicate the plane crashed a short time after take off from Lyall Harbour. It was en route to Vancouver, with eight passengers on board, including an infant,” said Canadian police officer Darren Lagan.

Two adult survivors, including the pilot, were also rescued. Both are in hospital with undetermined injuries.

Haddock said the search and rescue mission took eight hours because of difficult conditions including wind and visibility.