Flights to and from Malta international airport in Luqa were cancelled this morning after a light aircraft crashed soon after take off.
Five people are reported to have been killed in the twin-prop Metroliner aircraft which can carry 10 passengers.
There was no immediate news on the nationality of the victims.
Initial reports that the people on board were EU border officials were subsequently denied by the EU border management agency Frontex.
“Massive explosion” and second explosion: A witness to a plane crash which has killed five people at #Malta airport https://t.co/XrpuuFVzpY
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 24, 2016