Cargo plane crashes near Seville airport

Up to ten crew members have been killed in a Spanish air force cargo plane crash near Seville airport, the country’s prime minister has said.

Mariano Rajoy said the brand new Airbus A400M aircraft came down a mile north of the airport in the south of the country today while undergoing flight trials.

BREAKING: Reports of an Airbus A400M crashing near Seville airport. @BOMBEROSSEVILLA pic.twitter.com/dIO05IBTxt

— The Spain Report (@thespainreport) May 9, 2015

It is understood that the plane was undergoing flight trials at the airport.

The defence ministry was not able to confirm the number of casualties.

Rajoy said: “We express our deepest sympathy. They were fellow countrymen.” He added that there were believed to be between eight and 10 people on board.

Thick black smoke could be seen rising from the rural scene of the crash, while pictures on Twitter showed firefighters putting out the flaming wreckage.

#airbus #A400M bei Sevilla abgestürzt, keine Überlebende, 8-10 tote. pic.twitter.com/cpQudGwjPW https://t.co/OEkYQ0VSvy

— js (@jottes) May 9, 2015

Spain’s airport authority, Aena, confirmed that Seville airport had been closed because its fire crews had gone to attend a plane crash outside its perimeter fence. All flights to Seville were being diverted to Malaga and Jerez airports, Aena said.

Spanish state television, TVE, broadcast footage shot from a car driving past airport buildings showing a plume of black smoke rising into the sky. TVE said the pilots had communicated with the control tower, saying their plane was in difficulty.

The A400M is a large, propeller-driven transport aircraft that is being assembled in Seville. 194 examples have been ordered by eight countries, including Britain, which is seeking a replacement to its aging Hercules fleet. The RAF took delivery of its first A400M last November and is due to have 22 in service by 2019.