Six people have died in Alaska after a sightseeing plane crashed in southern Alaska, the US Coast Guard has said.

The plane’s emergency alert beacon was activated when it crashed near Ketchikan and a helicopter company reported seeing wreckage on a ridgeline in the search areas.

The coast guard said it found the wreckage on Thursday afternoon but reported no survivors.

There were five passengers on the flight from the Holland America Line cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam, which had stopped in Ketchikan.

The company said it is offering counselling services to guests and crew after its departure was delayed following the crash.

“Our hearts are shattered at the loss of six people today. We are thinking of and grieving with the families of the five passengers and our dear friend and pilot aboard the aircraft,” the company said in a statement.

“The floatplane excursion was offered by an independent tour operator and not sold by Holland America Line.”

Ketchikan is a popular destination for cruise ships and passengers can take various sightseeing excursions while in port, including flights to the Misty Fjords National Monument.

In 2019, two sightseeing planes crashed mid-air, killing six of the 16 passengers on board.

The plane involved in Thursday’s crash was owned by Southeast Aviation, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Kip Wadlow said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a crew to investigate the crash and the Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.

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