five of whose six occupants perished

[Maybo]

What does "whose" refer to? Can I just say "five of six occupants perished"?

As Japanese and international aviation experts attempt to establish how a Japan Coast Guard De Havilland Dash-8 – five of whose six occupants perished – came to lie directly in the path of the Airbus A350, the men and women whose actions averted a major disaster during those vital minutes have been praised for their composure and professionalism.

Source: Miracle at Haneda: how cabin crew pulled off great escape from Japan plane fire by Justin McCurry

 

[teechar]

Can I just say "five of six occupants perished"?

No. That would not work in the above sentence.

What does "whose" refer to?

The occupants.
Five of the six occupants on that plane perished.
The occupants "belonged" to that plane.

 

[Maybo]

No. That would not work in the above sentence.

The occupants.
Five of the six occupants on that plane perished.
The occupants "belonged" to that plane.

I can’t understand that “five of occupants’ six occupants perished”.

 

[teechar]

Sorry, my mistake. I should have said that "whose" refers to "the plane", as I have explained above. The occupants "belonged" to the plane.