BOGOTA (AFP) - Colombian authorities said there was little chance of finding survivors after a small plane with 10 people on board crashed in the Amazon jungle.

The aircraft with registration number HK-4755 PA 34 Navajo took off from Araracuara Airport in the country's south around 3:00 pm local time (2000 GMT) on Saturday. It lost contact with air traffic control as it went over the town of Florencia.

Authorities have yet to find the occupants - two crew members and eight passengers - although it is almost certain they are dead.

"The aircraft was located - fragmented and incinerated - 10km from the urban centre of the town of Puerto Santander... It is possible that no passengers will be found," the Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement.

"Specialised rescue personnel are currently in a search and rescue mission for the bodies of the occupants of the aircraft." The unit is responsible for ensuring the safety of commercial flights in Colombia.