MARSH HARBOUR, Bahamas, Aug. 25 -- R&B singer and actress Aaliyah died today when a small plane that was to carry her and eight others back to the United States crashed after takeoff in the Bahamas, authorities said.
Seven others were killed in the crash, and one person was critically injured, officials said.
"We find it devastating and most unfortunate that after having this world-famous star Aaliyah and her crew select the Bahamas as their choice location for her latest video, the project has climaxed on such a tragic note," said Minister of Tourism Tommy Turnquest, who happened to be visiting Abaco Island, where the plane went down.
Aaliyah's song "Try Again" earned her a Grammy nomination for best female R&B vocalist. She made her feature acting debut in the film "Romeo Must Die."
Bahamian national television quoted the civil aviation department as saying Aaliyah was one of nine Americans on board.
The cause of the crash was unclear. Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in Atlanta, said the plane was a Cessna 402 owned by Skystream. She said the plane crashed at the end of the airport's runway at 6:50 p.m.
Aaliyah was working on a music video in the Bahamas, officials said.
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