Nine passengers and a pilot died in a small plane crash in the Bahamas, authorities said.

The plane was making a short trip from Lynden Pindling International Airport near the capital, Nassau, to the San Andros airport when it “apparently encountered difficulties” and crashed into bushes before landing, the country’s Aviation Accident Investigation Authority said in a statement.

The fatal accident occurred on the day of the 53rd anniversary of the independence of the Bahamas.

“Today is a day of celebration but it has become a day of mourning,” Prime Minister Philip Davis said at a news conference.

He added: “Once again, a chapter in our nation’s history has been marked by tragedy.”

Davis initially said there was one survivor, although hours later he confirmed that the person had died from their injuries.

Details of the people on board, including their ages and names, have not been released.

The Cessna 402 aircraft was operated by Flamingo Air, a Bahamas-based airline. The Aviation Ministry said it would temporarily suspend the airline’s air operator certificate “as a preventive safety measure.”

The grounding measure “should not be treated as an adverse enforcement action against Flamingo Air,” the ministry said.

He noted that there had been “two security incidents” on Friday.

Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis told reporters that a plane had earlier returned to Nassau when the pilot reported a problem. Once the plane landed and passengers disembarked, a fire broke out on board, the BBC’s US partner CBS News reported.

The BBC has contacted Flamingo Air for comment.

Speaking to local media, the airline said: “At this time, details are being gathered and we are committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities.”