The Lao deputy prime minister cum defence minister were among more those reportedly killed in an aircrash in the northen province of Laos on Saturday.  

According to Voice of America , Duangchay Phicit, a powerful member of the Lao Communist Party politburo, was one of 17 on board the plane which crashed in Xiangkhuong, 470 kilometres from Vientiane.

Meanwhile, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that at least five people are confirmed dead, with three pulled out from the wreckage alive.

Citing sources, it said that the army had cordoned off the area.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the AN-74TK300 aircraft belonging to the Lao air force crashed at 7am.

Others on board were the minister of public security, secretariat of Lao Communist Party central committee, chairperson of the propaganda training committee and the mayor of Vientiane.