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Plane crashes in Malta killing five Light Plane crashes in Malta killing all five people onboard
(about 1 hour later)
A light aircraft has crashed shortly after takeoff from Malta, killing at least five people, airport sources and witnesses said. A small passenger aircraft has crashed on takeoff at Malta’s international airport, killing all five people onboard, officials said.
Initial reports said the plane was believed to be carrying officials from the EU border agency Frontex, but a spokesman later said the agency had not deployed the plane. The accident involving the Fairchild Metroliner turboprop on Monday led to the closure of the airport as an investigation was under way. Video footage showed the aircraft on fire following the incident.
The crash, the country’s worst peacetime aircraft accident, happened at about 0530 GMT, as the plane was heading for Misrata in Libya, said officials. In a statement, airport officials said: “We can confirm that the five crew onboard are deceased.”
The plane, a twin-prop Metroliner, can carry about 10 people. Rescuers were looking for survivors. Early reports said the plane had been chartered by the European Union’s border control agency, Frontex, for a flight to Libya.
There was no immediate news on the nationality of the victims. Frontex issued a swift denial, and the EU’s foreign policy representative, Federica Mogherini, tweeted: “No EU officials involved in plane crash in Malta. The flight was not related to any of the EU activities.”