A least five people have died after a light aircraft, initially reported to have been carrying EU border officials, crashed at Malta Airport.
A witness told the Times of Malta the plane suddenly tipped onto its right side shortly after take-off “and went straight down into the ground“.
Another witness told Sky News that there was a “massive explosion” that was followed by a second blast.
The EU’s European Border and Coast Guard Agency tweeted: “The plane that crashed in Malta was not deployed by Frontex.”
An hour later Frontex posted another tweet writing that none of its staff were “involved” in the plane crash.
EU Foreign Affairs High Representative Federica Mogherini tweeted that no EU officials were aboard the plane and the flight was not related to EU activities.
Initial reports from local and international media suggested that the flight involved an EU mission containing Frontex officials.
French crew members
All five crew members were French, reported the Times of Malta, although this was not yet confirmed.
The twin-prop Metroliner plane was leased from Luxembourg and heading for Misrata in Libya. It took off at around 7:20am (local time).
Flights to and from Malta International Airport have been halted after the country’s worst peacetime aircraft accident.
Malta Airport tweeted: “Rescue & Fire Services team together with members from Civil Protection Department & Mater Dei were dispatched to scene immediately.”
In a tweet, Health Minister Chris Fearne said that anyone distressed by news of the crash could call a helpline on 25456900 or visit a psychological walk-in service at Paola health centre.
Nobody aboard the plane is believed to have survived the crash, reported the Times of Malta.
MaltaToday reported that the plane crash-landed after developing engine trouble soon after take-off.
A plane-spotter who witnessed the accident said he was just packing up his equipment when the plane crashed. “It was an explosion, a right ball of fire,” a visibly-shaken William Farrugia, 19, told MaltaToday.
Read more here.
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