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Malta plane crash latest: French customs officials killed during take-off for people smuggling mission in Libya | Malta plane crash latest: French customs officials killed during take-off for people smuggling mission in Libya |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A plane has crashed in Malta, killing all five people on board in the country's worst peacetime air disaster. | A plane has crashed in Malta, killing all five people on board in the country's worst peacetime air disaster. |
Maltese officials said French customs officials were among victims on the flight, which was heading for the city of Misrata in Libya. | Maltese officials said French customs officials were among victims on the flight, which was heading for the city of Misrata in Libya. |
They were tracking people smuggling across the Mediterranean, where Libya’s northern coast has become the main launching point for migrant boats. | |
The light aircraft went down during take-off from Malta International Airport at around 7.20am local time (6.20am BST) on Monday morning. | The light aircraft went down during take-off from Malta International Airport at around 7.20am local time (6.20am BST) on Monday morning. |
A witness told the Times of Malta newspaper the propeller plane suddenly tipped to its right side and “went straight down to the ground”. | |
Footage taken from another plane on the tarmac showed the wreckage burning in a field, sending a large plume of black smoke into the air as passengers could be heard crying. | |
Edward Degaetano, an actor, was on a flight waiting to take off for London when he witnessed the aftermath of the crash. | |
“We were about to take off, moments before we did from our windows we could see a massive explosion – at first we had no idea what caused it,” he said. | |
“We quickly realised an aircraft had crash landed. That is when everyone got a bit anxious.” | “We quickly realised an aircraft had crash landed. That is when everyone got a bit anxious.” |
Mr Degaetano said everything seemed “very normal” before the disaster, adding: “There was a second explosion and I thought ‘oh my god this is not just a fire’. We are all a bit stunned.” | |
Another video taken from a car showed the aircraft plummeting at an angle from low altitude, missing nearby houses and roads before exploding into a huge fireball on impact. | Another video taken from a car showed the aircraft plummeting at an angle from low altitude, missing nearby houses and roads before exploding into a huge fireball on impact. |
“We can confirm that the five crew on board the aircraft are deceased,” a spokesperson for Malta International Airport said. “Our thoughts are with families of people involved in this accident. | |
“An investigation is currently ongoing and we are working with all the authorities to provide them with any assistance necessary.” | “An investigation is currently ongoing and we are working with all the authorities to provide them with any assistance necessary.” |
They said the incident as an “accident upon take-off”. | |
Local reports initially said the twin-propeller Fairchild Metroliner was carrying officials from the EU border agency Frontex, but a spokesperson later said no staff were on board. | |
Federica Mogherini, the EU Commission Vice President and high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, also said no other EU officials were involved, adding: “The flight was not related to any of EU activities.” | |
The Maltese government said the plane was leased to a Luxembourg company and that witnesses reported no explosion before it hit the ground. | The Maltese government said the plane was leased to a Luxembourg company and that witnesses reported no explosion before it hit the ground. |
Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French defence minister, said the plane was a reconnaissance aircraft planned to fly over the Mediterranean. | |
Three officials from his ministry and two private contractors, all French, were on board. | Three officials from his ministry and two private contractors, all French, were on board. |
The US-registered plane, number N577MX, last underwent an airworthiness inspection in 2011, according to records held by the US Federal Aviation Administration. | The US-registered plane, number N577MX, last underwent an airworthiness inspection in 2011, according to records held by the US Federal Aviation Administration. |
An inquiry into the cause of the disaster will be opened by Malta's Bureau of Air Accident Investigation. | An inquiry into the cause of the disaster will be opened by Malta's Bureau of Air Accident Investigation. |
All departures and arrivals at Malta International Airport were stopped as recovery work continued, with flights diverted to airports on the Italian island of Sicily. | All departures and arrivals at Malta International Airport were stopped as recovery work continued, with flights diverted to airports on the Italian island of Sicily. |
The airport was reopened shortly after 11am local time but delays and disruption were expected to continue. Live information can be found here. | The airport was reopened shortly after 11am local time but delays and disruption were expected to continue. Live information can be found here. |
Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |