At least two people have died after a light aircraft crashed into a hangar at an airstrip in southern Australia on Wednesday.
Multiple people were also injured after the small plane crashed into the hangar after landing at the suburban Parafield Airport, north of Adelaide, at 2.10pm local time, according to the Australian Associated Press.
The collision reportedly sparked a fire.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “I have just been briefed by the Commissioner for Police (Grant Stevens) on the tragic incident at Parafield this afternoon, where a small plane has crashed into a hangar.”
“Two people have lost their lives and a number of others have been injured.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have passed away, and with everyone affected by this devastating event,” he said.
An eyewitness told ABC News he saw the plane nosedive.
Joshua Swannell said: “The pitch that it took, you could hear it struggle then straight down. I looked up and saw the plane up in the corner – go up, tilt, straight back down, nosedive – over the buildings. I just heard the crash, it just happened all so quick.”
“Within minutes it was just already so black, you couldn’t see anything – no flames, but just all black,” he told the news site.
Police and emergency services were called to an area near Kings Road at Parafield Airport.
Australia’s 7News reported that a pilot and a passenger were among those killed. Images from the crash site showed a column of black smoke.
“There are reports of injuries at the scene. There’s no confirmed numbers at this stage,” senior constable Matt Brown from South Australia Police said.
The incident, authorities say, involved a twin-engined Diamond DA42 aircraft. According to 7News, at least 10 airport ground crew who were inside the hangar were taken to the hospital with serious burns.
Metropolitan Fire Service chief officer, Jeff Swann, told the outlet: “These fires were intensified by the amount of fuel that was inside the hanger.”
He said a number of student pilots had to be escorted out of the hangar by firefighters. Planes that were parked in the hanger at the time also sustained damage in the crash and fire.
According to South Australia Police chief inspector, Andrew McCracken, one person remained in a life-threatening condition at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and two others were in a serious condition.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the area around Parafield Airport, including Kings Road, while emergency operations continue.
