Small plane crashes into Lake Attersee during flight from Salzburg

A two-seat aircraft crashed into Lake Attersee on Wednesday morning after suddenly losing altitude, ORF reported, citing the newspaper Krone. The plane had taken off from Salzburg.

According to Flightradar24, contact with the aircraft was lost at exactly 9:23:30 a.m. Witnesses said it appeared to descend rapidly before plunging into the lake. Neither the wreckage nor its occupants could be seen afterwards.

Extensive search and rescue operations are under way. Six fire brigades and three water rescue teams are searching for possible survivors, according to Krone.

A witness from Steinbach am Attersee told the newspaper that the aircraft had suddenly gone quiet before sirens were heard. The witness said a helicopter was circling low over the water.