Twelve bodies have been recovered after a plane crash, which happened after the plane took off from the French Polynesian island of Moorea, said local officials.

Radio New Zealand said officials confirmed the flight bound for Tahiti, 17km away, at around 12:15 p.m. local time (22:15GMT) on August 9.

About 20 people were believed to be onboard the Air Moorea Twin Otter turboprop aircraft, which crashed into a lagoon.

A spokesman for Air Traffic Services in Tahiti said the plane went down in good weather and the cause of the crash is not known.

The spokesman also confirmed that two members of the European Commission were booked to be on the plane. It is understood the two EC members recently met with French Polynesian President Gaston Tong Sang and were about to return to Europe.

Reports also said three foreign tourists were among the passengers.

French Polynesia is a sprawling possession of France in the Pacific Ocean, made up of 118 volcanic and coral islands and atolls.

Moorea is one of French Polynesia's premier tourist destination.