Plane crashes in Sydney before New Year's Eve

Initial information said that five passengers on board the plane and the pilot were killed when the small plane crashed into the Hawksbury River.

Australian police ship in Sydney Harbour on December 31. Photo: Reuters

A DHC-2 Beaver aircraft of the Australian company Sydney Seaplanes crashed on New Year's Eve, December 31.

Australian broadcaster ABC quoted police sources as saying the cause of the accident is currently unknown.

Local news agencies said four of the dead passengers were British nationals and included an 11-year-old child.

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the plane crash occurred at 3:15 p.m. (10:15 a.m. Vietnam time) at a point near Jerusalem Bay north of Sydney.

According to Reuters news agency, authorities have recovered 6 bodies and debris from the plane.

Rescue ships and divers were present at the scene to recover victims and debris. Screenshot

The single-engine plane, operated by Sydney Seaplanes, a company that specializes in taking tourists on sea tours, crashed after returning from a lunch break.

Sydney Seaplanes, which has been operating since 1938, is a well-known airline in Australia. Many world-famous people have chartered their planes to visit Australia.

Sydney is famous for the world's most exciting New Year's Eve celebration at Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House with a colorful fireworks display.

It is estimated that every year, millions of Australians and foreign tourists come to this city to admire this unique fireworks display.

Tourists spread out tarps to wait for the New Year's fireworks display on Sydney Harbour Bridge - considered one of the earliest places in the world to welcome New Year's Eve. Photo: Reuters

The first New Year's bells will be rung in Tonga, Christmas Island and Western Samoa at 5:00 p.m. on December 31 (Vietnam time).

An hour later, New Year's celebrations will take place in New Zealand.

In Australia, it will be between 8pm - 10:15pm.

According to Tuoi Tre