Amid dangerous weather conditions, authorities have launched a search for a Bering Air Caravan plane with 10 people on board which vanished over Alaska.

The aircraft, which was travelling from Unalakleet with nine passengers and one pilot on board, was declared missing after it disappeared from radar and failed to arrive at its destination in Nome.

David Olson, director of operations for Bering Air, was quoted by Sun UK as saying that the aircraft left an airstrip in Unalakleet at 2:37 pm before officials lost all contact less than an hour later.

It was 12 miles offshore when it was last sighted, according to the US Coast Guard.

Nome Volunteer Fire Department said in a statement: “We are currently responding to a report of a missing Bering Air caravan.

“We are doing an active ground search from Nome and from White Mountain.

“Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time.

“National Guard, Coast Guard, and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search.”

Meanwhile, authorities have warned the public not to help in the search for the aircraft due to extreme weather conditions.