A private plane crashed at the Las Americas airport in the Dominican Republic capital Santo Domingo on Wednesday, killing nine persons, including Puerto Rican music producer “Flow La Movie,” according to the plane’s owner Helidosa.
Helidosa announced in a statement that it “regrets the tragic accident on one of its planes at Las Americas airport… in which tragically all of the crew and passengers died.”
According to the Helidosa statement, music producer Jose Angel Hernandez, popularly known as “Flow La Movie” and famed for songs like “Te bote,” was among the victims.
The 38-year-old had become a well-known personality in reggaeton, a Caribbean music genre that has acquired popularity in the United States and other parts of the world.
Hernandez’s spouse and son were among the dead, according to local media, while two of the fatalities were minors aged four and thirteen.
“Jose Angel, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD VIBES ALWAYS,” Colombian reggaeton musician J Balvin posted on Instagram.
“Rest in peace,” he said.
And fellow Puerto Rican reggaeton musician Don Omar also posted to Instagram.
“Sad, the loss of you and your family. Thank you for the opportunity to collaborate,” he said.
The six passengers on board were American citizens, according to security officials, and the crew consisted of two pilots and a flight steward.
Six Americans were reported to have died, according to the State Department. “We have no further comment on specific cases due to privacy considerations,” an official said.
After taking off for the US state of Florida from another airfield in the Dominican Republic capital, the Gulfstream plane crashed after it tried an emergency landing due to a malfunction, according to local media.
Following the crash, the Las Americas airport suspended activities for two hours before resuming normal operations.
AFP