ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — The Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) Monday said rescue efforts were “in progress” for a missing plane that left the Douglas Charles Airport on Sunday afternoon on route to the neighbouring French island of Martinique.

In a brief statement, DASPA said that the four-seater Cessna 172 aircraft had lost communications after departing at around 3.46 pm (local time), and all relevant local and French emergency response teams are currently working to locate it.

“Rescue efforts are in progress and we confirm that the safety of the passenger and crew is paramount at this time. Further updates on the situation will be provided once they become available,” DASPA said.

It gave no details as to how many people were on board the aircraft, which is described as a single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft and is the most-produced aircraft in history as well as being a popular choice for flight training.

DASPA did not give the nationality of the pilot.

However, eyewitnesses said the plane is believed to have crashed between Riviere Cyrique and La Plaine on the island’s southeast coast.

One resident told reporters that she heard when the plane passed over her house saying, “That plane has an engine problem and it fell down between Riviere Cyrique and La Plaine. Circle around there, they might get the plane there.”