London : Seven people have died after a small private plane in which they were travelling crashed on an island off the east coast of Quebec province in Canada.
Authorities said the plane crashed as it was approaching the Iles-de-la-Madeleine Airport in windy and snowy weather.
Jean Lapierre, a broadcaster and former Canadian transport minister, and members of his family were among the victims, the Guardian reports.
Lapierre, who was 59, worked as a political analyst for CTV and other Canadian media outlets.
Lapierre’s wife, two brothers and sister died in the crash. They were travelling to the funeral of Lapierre’s father, TVA said.
He also served as a member of parliament from 1979 to 1993 and again from 2004 to 2007.
Former Prime Minister Paul Martin said that Lapierre was a very good political analyst and a superb political figure, and added that it was a great privilege to work with him.
Officials with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada travelled to Havre aux Maisons Island in the Magdalen Islands of Canada to determine the cause of the crash.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his sorrow over Lapierre’s demise on Twitter.(ANI)