An aircraft carrying about 20 people has crashed taking off from the French Polynesian island of Moorea, killing at least 16 of them.
Initial reports say the plane carried two members of a European Union delegation on a visit to Tahiti.
The reports also say three foreign tourists were among the passengers.
Journalist Alex du Prel says the plane came down close to fisherman.
"There were 20 people on board. So far they found 16 bodies. What has happened, the plane took off from Moorea to tahiti which is five-minute flight. It was a De Havilland Twin Otter. Right after take-off for some reason it just pointed towards the sea and crashed into the ocean."
Alex du Prel says the French navy is at the scene but there are fears there are no survivors.
The bodies recovered so far have been taken to a mortuary for identification which is now under way.
It was the first crash involving a plane of Air Moorea.
In an immediate reaction, the French interior minister, Michele Alliot-Marie, has expressed her condolences to the families of the crash victims.
A government statement says the secretary of state for overseas territories, Christian Estrosi, will fly to Papeete without delay to express the government's solidarity.