Lao Airlines (Vientiane) today (October 16) suffered a terrible accident. One of their new ATR 72-600s, registered RDPL-34233, crashed into the Mekong River in bad weather while attempting an approach for landing at Pakse Airport in southern Laos on a flight from Vientiane. 39 passengers and five crew members were on board according to the Bangkok Post. All 44 people have tragically perished in the crash. The aircraft is half submerged in the river with bodies being brought to the shore line according to Laos TV.

Did a lingering part of Typhoon Nari play a part in this accident? Reuters asks that question in this latest report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Lao Airlines was operating two new ATR 72-600s (RDPL-34222 and RDPL-34233).  The pictured ill-fated ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEH (msn 1071) became RDPL-34233 when it was delivered on March 29, 2013.

Lao Airlines: 

Route Map: Pakse is in the southern portion of Laos on the Mekong River.