Seven killed in plane crash

A small plane has crashed in the Dominican Republic, killing at least seven people.

The twin-engine plane left the Caribbean island's capital Santo Domingo on Sunday morning and crashed 125 miles north of the city in the mountainous area of Tamboril.

Authorities suspect the plane was carrying illegal emigrants to the United States.

The flight plan said it was carrying a pilot and two passengers to the resort town of Puerto Plata, but rescuers said they had found seven bodies from the crash site so far. The pilot identified on the flight plan was not on board

Civil Aviation director Anibal Garcia Diaz said: "We presume they were trying a new way of trafficking illegals."

None of the victims have been identified, as officials believe some may have been carrying false identification.

Rescuers are still searching through the wreckage because they are not sure how many people were on board.

The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

Each year, thousands of Dominicans attempt illegal boat journeys to the neighbouring US territory of Puerto Rico, which is more prosperous.

In the last two months, immigration agents in Puerto Rico have stopped 600 Dominicans trying to enter illegally.