Three die as plane crashes in Malaga

AT LEAST three people were killed today and more than 40 injured when an aircraft flying from North Africa to the Costa del Sol crashed on its approach to Malaga airport.

The Binter Mediterraneo CN-235 was only yards from the runway after a 20-minute flight across the Mediterranean from Melilla, the Spanish enclave on the north coast of Morocco, when one of its two engines reportedly failed.

The aircraft crashlanded next to the old N340 coastal highway.

The plane, which has a capacity of 44 passengers and three crew, was almost full.

The three people who died were all passengers.

Of the injured, 17 were taken to local hospitals.

Another 24 suffered bruises and shock.

There were no immediate reports of any Britons aboard the aircraft. Most of the passengers are believed to be from Melilla.

One passenger told the Spanish news agency EFE that there was no warning of the accident and that people thought the plane was making a normal landing until it hit the ground. But another passenger said that the propeller on the left hand engine stopped shortly before the accident.

The pilot was among those taken to hospital. He was said to be in a serious condition in intensive care.

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