Everyone this morning in Malta was shocked by the news of a Military Plane Crash. A aeroplane by the Luxembourg military allegedly was taking off to go on a military mission in Misrata in Libya, at 7.15am today. News in Malta claimed that the plane was leased to Frontex, however on Twitter Frontex wrote that it “was not deployed by Frontex”.
The plane was of the twin-prop Metroliner type. The plane crashed near the road and the old Ħal Safi barracks.
So far it appears 5 persons are dead. It is not known whether other people are dead besides those in the plane.
RTK radio warned people not to go Ħal Luqa. Ambulances and fire engines went on the spot. Malta International Airport has been reopened with some delays in flights.
The BBC reported that Maltese authorities said that the flight had been part of a French customs operation to track illicit trafficking of drugs and people.
However French customs tweeted denying this: “Nous vous remercions pour vos messages mais aucun #douanier français n’était à bord de l’appareil qui s’est écrasé à #Malte”
Allura ghaliex il-Gvern Malti qed jibqa jghid li “kienet tifforma parti mill-French Customs surveillance operation” https://t.co/ts3hTStAx2
— George Pullicino (@GeorgePullicino) October 24, 2016
The BBC wrote that an investigation into the causes of the crash is to be conducted by the French defence ministry, and French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed that three of the victims were ministry staff while the other two were contractors. French media is saying that the victims were DGSE members ie spies. DGSE is France’s external intelligence agency.
Vimeo video by Sylvana Zammit / Newsbook.com.mt:
Source: Newsbook
YouTube video by Paul Pietka
I’m following the news of a small @Frontex aircraft crash next to #Malta Airport. Very saddened to hear of casualties.
— Simon Busuttil (@SimonBusuttil) October 24, 2016
More sad news as death toll in light aircraft crash in #Malta revised upwards to 5. Media reporting the plane was leased for use by @Frontex
— Roberta Metsola MEP (@RobertaMetsola) October 24, 2016
Very saddened to hear of the victims at @Maltairport – in our thoughts and prayers
— Marie-Louise Coleiro (@presidentMT) October 24, 2016
Five confirmed dead as #frontex #luxembourg plane crashes soon after take-off in #malta. Was on its way to #Libya pic.twitter.com/JibewpWcMy
— Mario Xuereb (@tvmmarioxuereb) October 24, 2016
Malta International Airport issued a statement on Facebook:
Frontex tweeted:
The plane that crashed in Malta was not deployed by Frontex.
— Frontex (@Frontex) October 24, 2016
We’re told this is the #aircraft that #crashed in #malta #HappeningNow pic.twitter.com/eUqngDFlbc
— MaltaToday (@maltatoday) October 24, 2016
BREAKING: Maltese gov’t says 5 killed in plane crash were French officials tracing Mediterranean trafficking routes from Libya.
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 24, 2016
No #EU officials involved in plane crash in #Malta. The flight was not related to any of the EU activities
— Federica Mogherini (@FedericaMog) October 24, 2016
il-Ministru Abela ghadu kemm rega qal fil-Parlament li “t-titjira kienet tifforma parti mill-French Customs surveillance operation”
— George Pullicino (@GeorgePullicino) October 24, 2016