Two seaplanes collided in mid-air on Monday over southeastern Alaska, killing at least five of those aboard, injuring 10 others, local media reported. 

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said it is partnering with agencies and Samaritans in search of the two downed aircraft in the vicinity of the George Inlet area, about 40-48 kilometers northeast of Ketchikan.

The 10 injured people have been hospitalized, KTUU TV station reported, citing officials at the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center. 

"The Juneau Command Center watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and two 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crews from Coast Guard Station Ketchikan," said the USCG.

USCG officer Jon-Paul Rios said the Coast Guard currently did not know why the two aircraft went down, and it was unusual to see two seaplanes crashed in the same area around the same time.

The USCG could not confirm whether the crash was a mid-air collision, but several posts on social media showed at least one of the floatplanes was a part of a guided tour attended by some cruise ship passengers, said KTUU.

(With inputs from Xinhua News Agency)

(Cover: File photo via VCG)