A light aircraft crashed after taking off from Malta’s main airport early on Monday, killing all five people on board. Reuters news agency reports.
A military source at Malta International Airport said all five victims were French, though the French foreign ministry said it could not yet confirm that.
Television footage showed flames rising from wreckage near the runway, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Staff said investigations had begun and the aerodrome was closed until further notice. Several flights have been diverted to Sicily, many delayed and some canceled.
Airport officials told Reuters the plane had been heading for Misrata in Libya.
