(Xinhua/AFP Photo) 

    LIBREVILLE, June 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Sixteen people were killed and three still missing after a Gabonese airliner with 30 people aboard plunged into waters the Atlantic Ocean off Gabon shortly after takeoff from Libreville on Tuesday, while 11 people survived,the Gabon president's office said in a statement.

    The accident happened 27 minutes after takeoff as the plane was attempting to return to the airport following technical problems on the Gabon Express airliner, according to the statement read out on national radio.

    11 survivors - eight passengers and three of the four crew members - were hospitalized in the capital, a spokesman of the airline, Gabon Express, told the press.

    The plane took off at 9:15 a.m. (0815 GMT) from Libreville to Franceville in the southeast of the former French colony, via Port-Gentil, the economic capital.

    The plane crashed into the sea about 100 meters off the beach, close to the Leon Mba international airport, leaving only its tailplane jutting above the surface of the water. Nearly four hours later, the wreck was fully submerged.

    An official with the company said the plane was carrying 26 passengers and four crew members.

    Thousands of onlookers thronged the beach as ambulances, airport fire crews and French troops mounted search and rescue efforts. Five ships and three fishing boats surrounded the ill-fated plane. Enditem