BANGKOK — A plane carrying senior Laotian government officials crashed Saturday morning, leaving at least four people dead, Laotian diplomats said Saturday.

Two major figures in the security apparatus of the authoritarian Laotian government were killed in the crash: the deputy prime minister, Douangchay Phichit, and Thongbane Sengaphone, the minister of public security, according to two Lao diplomats.

For a Communist party that relies on force and intimidation to stay in power, the loss of the two officials who were considered by many to be the most powerful people in the security apparatus was a significant blow. The governor of Vientiane province was also killed in the crash.

Image Douangchay Phichit in 2004 Credit... Associated Press

In addition to serving as deputy prime minister, Mr. Douangchay was also the defense minister and a member of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body of the Communist party. Mr. Thongbane, the chief of public security, was feared in the country and was said to be one of the officials leading a crackdown against dissent over the past 18 months.