Five people have died after a light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff at Malta International Airport.
Three French defence ministry officials and two private contractors were killed, French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
The plane had been chartered by French customs and had been involved in the surveillance of people and drugs trafficking in the Mediterranean off Malta, the government said in a statement.
It added that there was no indication of an explosion on board prior to the crash.
In a statement, the airport said the aircraft, a Fairchild Metroliner turboprop, was involved in an accident "upon takeoff."
"We can confirm that the five crew on board are deceased," it said, adding that the airport was closed until further notice and an investigation was under way.
The crash, Malta's worst peacetime aircraft accident, happened at about 5.30am local time, as the plane was heading for Misrata in Libya, officials said.
The remains of all five victims have been recovered.
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