Color satellite image of the Bahamas in the West Indies. (Photo by: Planet Observer/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Authorities in the United States and the Bahamas are searching for a small plane that disappeared shortly after taking off from a Caribbean airport en route to South Florida.
What we know:
The United States Coast Guard joined police on the island of Andros to search for the PA-34 Piper five-seater aircraft after a report Monday afternoon that it may have gone down off the coast of Red Bays in the Bahamas.
Officials said the plane departed Great Harbour Cay shortly after 11 a.m. Monday with four people aboard and was headed to Miami Executive Airport in South Florida. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft about 13 miles west of Andros Island.
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What they're saying:
In a video statement shared with FOX affiliate WSVN, Silvia Larrieu said her uncle, his wife and two of his grandchildren were aboard the plane.
"Whether it’s by plane, by boat, any signs that you’ve noticed, to help us find them and bring them back alive," Larrieu said in the statement.
Dig deeper:
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said inclement weather temporarily delayed search efforts. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association are continuing to search for any sign of the missing aircraft or those aboard.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press and a news release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force. This story was reported from Orlando.