Small twin-engine plane crashes into Pacific Ocean off Newport, Oregon

A small twin-engine plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Newport, Oregon, on Monday afternoon, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation.

The crash was reported at about 12:45 p.m. after witnesses saw the aircraft go down roughly one mile west of Nye Beach, according to the Newport Fire Department.

The U.S. Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and search-and-rescue boats to search the waters off Oregon’s central coast.

Authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were aboard the aircraft, and there was no immediate information on survivors.

Emergency crews remained active in the area as the search continued.

The circumstances surrounding the crash were not immediately known, and additional information is expected as authorities investigate.