Horrifying moment seaplane crashes into the ocean as frantic search continues for three occupants missing

Harrowing images have emerged of a seaplane crashing into the sea near a popular tourist spot shortly after take-off, in front of shocked beachgoers.

A pilot and six passengers were on board when the privately owned Cessna 208 crashed into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island, 19 kilometers off the coast of Perth, on Tuesday afternoon.

A major search and rescue operation continued late into the night for three people who are still missing.

Confronting footage filmed by onlookers showed the Swan River Seaplane-piloted aircraft making a sharp dive to the left before its wingtip struck the water at Phillip Rock at the entrance to Thompson Bay.

The plane plunged nose first into the ocean as terrified tourists on Rottnest Island watched and alerted authorities.

Other onlookers reported seeing the plane move back and forth just before the left wing hit the water.

Two women in their 40s and a third passenger were flown to Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital with serious injuries but are said to be in stable condition. A fourth survivor was also injured.

It is understood some passengers were tourists on holiday from the highway. The Western Australia reported.

Parts of the wreckage were recovered on Tuesday evening and towed to a jetty on the island.

“I want to reassure the community that we have significant resources on the ground and we are doing everything we can,” WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook spent the night briefing authorities on the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

An aerial search will begin on Wednesday morning for the three missing people.

“The images we are seeing of an emergency unfolding at Rottnest Island are deeply concerning,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

“My thoughts are with all those affected and I would like to thank our first responders who are at the crash site.”

It is not yet known why the plane crashed.

Shocked witnesses described the scenes as chaotic.

‘I saw two wounded people. One man was limping. He needed support to get off the boat. He might have been in his late thirties,” Elisa Meazzi said Perth Now.

‘Then a woman in her fifties. Then one in his twenties.’

Hayden Harvey told The West Australian: “We saw the plane crash just as it was about to collide with the water.”

‘It was probably about 300 meters offshore. It was just a big splash, it wasn’t a big explosion or anything crazy.”

Another man remembered many police sirens.

“I thought it was a shark attack or something,” he said.

Another witness heard the sounds of police and emergency vehicles and saw water police surrounding the wreckage.

“We didn’t know what had happened because we were on the other side of the island, so we were driving past and then we saw these helicopters and we thought there must have been a plane crash,” he said.

Phone from the scene showed the front half of the small seaplane submerged in the water.

Several parts of the aircraft were damaged, including the wings.

The aircraft was previously owned by Whitsunday Air Services and was a recent addition to the Swan River Seaplanes fleet.

The plane arrived from Sydney on New Year’s Day.

The aircraft was built and registered in 2016 and can carry up to 14 passengers.

Swan River Seaplane is cooperating with authorities.

“Our priority is our pilot and passengers,” said director Kristy Bailey.

Rottnest Island, also known as Wadjemup, is a popular tourist spot that attracts thousands of visitors every year.

The island, which is also home to the world-famous marsupial quokkas, has a small airport and several companies offer flights to and from the mainland.