The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on Friday afternoon that Bering Air Flight 455, which vanished during a severe winter storm, has been located.

The small aircraft, carrying 10 passengers, was found approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome, Alaska, with no survivors. The discovery was made around 2 p.m. local time, revealing three bodies at the crash site.

The flight had taken off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. on Thursday but lost contact with air traffic control less than an hour later while flying over the Norton Sound, just 12 miles from its destination. Bering Air's director of operations, David Olson, noted the plane was mere minutes from landing in Nome when it disappeared from radar.

Authorities described the incident as the plane experiencing "some kind of event" leading to a rapid loss of altitude and speed. The search for the missing aircraft had been conducted under extremely challenging conditions with "zero visibility," prompting officials to warn against private rescue efforts.

The U.S. Coast Guard expressed their condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident.” All passengers are presumed dead, and their families have been notified by the local fire department.

This incident underscores the harsh and unpredictable conditions of winter flying in rural Alaska, where weather can dramatically escalate the risks of air travel. (ILKHA)