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MONTREAL – A small plane has crashed in the Îles de la Madeleine, just off eastern Quebec, leaving all seven passengers dead.

Former federal MP turned-Quebec journalist Jean Lapierre, 59, was on board the plane, travelling with his family to attend his father’s funeral on the small islands.

Lapierre’s spouse, Nicole Beaulieu, two of his brothers and one of his sisters were among the seven victims.

READ MORE: Jean Lapierre dead in plane crash at age 59

Lapierre’s last tweet, posted one day before his death, included a picture of his father Raymond and announced his passing.

https://twitter.com/Jean_Lapierre/status/714507655717527553

Lapierre is survived by his two children, Marie-Anne and Jean-Michel.

WATCH: Îles de la Madeleine crash scene

0:46 Îles de la Madeleine crash scene Îles de la Madeleine crash scene

The plane, identified as a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, appears to have crashed on approach to the Îles de la Madeleine in bad weather.

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Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the area Tuesday afternoon, with gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour expected.

A plane has crash in a field near the airport in Havre-aux-Maisons in the Îles de la Madeleine, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. The Canadian Press

Images from the crash site showed the heavily damaged body of the aircraft, which has a capacity of about 10 people, lying in a field.

Ambulance technician Benoit Leblanc said six of the seven people were declared dead at the scene, while a seventh person died later after suffering cardiac arrest.

Écrasement d'avion aux îles de la Madeleine … pic.twitter.com/b2BGTlYLVQ — Lapierre Jonathan (@jonlapierre1806) March 29, 2016

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Upon hearing of the former Liberal cabinet minister’s sudden death Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that it was “A great loss to the political world.”

Shaken by the sudden death of the Hon. Jean Lapierre on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. A great loss to the political world. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 29, 2016

WATCH: Trudeau responds to Jean Lapierre’s death

0:28 Prime Minister Trudeau responds to Jean Lapierre death Prime Minister Trudeau responds to Jean Lapierre death

“It just has me reeling,” Trudeau said in an interview with Global News.

“He was such a strong fixture in Quebec and Canadian political life and media landscape. It hasn’t actually sunk in that he’s not with us any more.” Tweet This

Lapierre was first elected to the Commons as a Liberal in 1979 and served until 1990 when he joined the Bloc Quebecois.

He left politics in the early 1990s and then returned to the Liberal fold in 2004 under Paul Martin, who named him transport minister.

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Tributes quickly poured in for Lapierre and others lost in the crash.

Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of my former colleague Jean Lapierre. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. — Stéphane Dion (@HonStephaneDion) March 29, 2016

An utter shock to learn of the death of Jean Lapierre and many family members. Deepest condolences to those grieving this tragic loss. — Tom Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair) March 29, 2016

I remember meeting Jean Lapierre when I was first elected in 2004. He was charming, a happy warrior with a powerful presence in Ottawa. 1/2 — Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) March 29, 2016

I can’t imagine the devastation facing the Lapierre family tonight. Praying for those touched by this heartbreaking tragedy. 2/2 — Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) March 29, 2016

WATCH: Paul Martin says he’ll miss Jean Lapierre’s friendship the most following former MP’s death

2:41 Paul Martin says he’ll miss Jean Lapierre’s friendship the most following former MP’s death Paul Martin says he’ll miss Jean Lapierre’s friendship the most following former MP’s death

The Transportation Safety Board confirmed in a release that is was sending a team of investigators to the scene.

With files from The Canadian Press and Global News’ Tania Kohut