(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Entiane may 17 (qna) - at least 22 people including the lao defense minister were killed when an air force plane crashed saturday.
the victims included three members of the ruling communist party’s central committee. three people reportedly survived the crash.
the plane crashed in the north-eastern province of xiangkhuang killing defence minister duangchay phichit who was also a deputy prime minister and member of the party’s politburo a source close to him said.
also killed were public security minister thongban saengaphon vientiane mayor soukan mahalat and party propaganda chief chuang sombounkhan sources confirmed.
the group was en route to a ceremony marking the 55th anniversary of the 2nd battalion’s victory over royalist forces.
laos has been under communist rule since 1975.
foreign ministry spokesman sek wannamethee said that the plane took off from the capital vientiane and crashed in the northeastern province of xiangkhoung about 470 kilometers (292 miles) away.
he said he was informed of the crash by authorities in neighboring laos.
in october a lao airlines atr-72 turboprop crashed during a heavy storm as it approached pakse airport in southern laos killing all 49 people on board. (qna)
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