A Lao Airlines plane carrying at least 44 people, including French and Thai citizens, crashed as it tried to land in southern Laos killing all on board on Wednesday, officials said.

At least seven French citizens and five Thais were among those killed when the plane travelling from the capital Vientiane plunged into the Mekong River around eight kilometers from Pakse airport in Champasak province, officials said.

"I can now confirm, according to our reports, that all 44 people on board have died, including five Thai," Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee told AFP, adding that he had been told there were 39 passengers and five crew.

The Chinese Embassy has confirmed that two Chinese citizens were among the dead, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

An official at the South Korean Embassy in Bangkok told Yonhap News Agency that three South Koreans were also among the dead.

AFP - Xinhua