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HARROWING footage has emerged of the moment a plane crashed at Malta airport killing five French anti-smuggling officials.

Dashcam footage shows it NOSEDIVING into the ground before erupting into a deadly fireball that was seen for miles.

Dashcam footage first shows the plane flying low across the sky
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Dashcam footage first shows the plane flying low across the skyCredit: Twitter / @sleekn8
It then begins nosediving towards the runway
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It then begins nosediving towards the runwayCredit: Twitter / @sleekn8
The plane is seen hitting the ground and breaking out into flames
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The plane is seen hitting the ground and breaking out into flames
It suddenly erupts into a deadly fireball
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It suddenly erupts into a deadly fireball
At least five people were killed in the crash
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At least five people were killed in the crash
The light aircraft crashed at Malta Airport in the early hours of this morning
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The light aircraft crashed at Malta Airport in the early hours of this morningCredit: Reuters

The plane crashed shortly after take off in Luqa at about 7.20am local time. Emergency services are at the scene and flights to and from Malta airport have been halted.

Malta's government said the five men were part of a French customs surveillance operation tracing routes of human and drug trafficking.

The airport tweeted: "Our priority at this time is with the passengers involved. The aerodrome is currently closed until further notice."

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It was initially reported the twin-prop Metroliner plane was taking EU border officials to Misrata in Libya.

But, Frontex, the EU border and coastguard agency, has said it did not deploy the plane.

An EU spokesperson said: "We can confirm that no European Union officials were on board. The plane also was not related to any of the European Union's activities."

Malta's prime minister Joseph Muscat tweeted: "Following with all competent authorities developments on crash of small aircraft off airport. Casualties confirmed -JM."

The crash is Malta's worst peacetime aircraft accident.

Forensic investigators work at the scene of the crash today
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Forensic investigators work at the scene of the crash todayCredit: Getty Images
The crash scene was cordoned off today as investigators worked at the scene
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The crash scene was cordoned off today as investigators worked at the sceneCredit: Reuters
A large piece of debris is seen lying next to a wall at the airport
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A large piece of debris is seen lying next to a wall at the airportCredit: Reuters
An ambulance and fire engine are seen parked at the accident
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An ambulance and fire engine are seen parked at the accidentCredit: Reuters
Five French nationals were killed in the deadly crash
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Five French nationals were killed in the deadly crashCredit: Getty Images
The plane was carrying anti people and drug smuggling officials
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The plane was carrying anti people and drug smuggling officialsCredit: Getty Images

Actor Edward De Gaetano was returning to London when he witnessed the aftermath of the crash.

He said: "We were about to take off; moments before we did from our windows we could see a massive explosion - at first we had no idea what caused it."

He added: "Then there was a second explosion and I thought 'Oh my God, this is not just a fire'. We are all a bit stunned."

Mr De Gaetano said it was "definitely not a military plane" which had crashed - with flames from the explosion "engulfing" a nearby tree.

Before the crash he said everything seemed "very, very normal".

Fire crews work to extinguish flames after a light aircraft, reportedly carrying EU border officials, crashes in Malta
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Fire crews work to extinguish flames after a light aircraft, reportedly carrying EU border officials, crashes in MaltaCredit: Ed_De Gaetano
Rescue workers at the scene of this morning's crash, which is believed to have killed at least five
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Rescue workers at the scene of this morning's crash, which is believed to have killed at least fiveCredit: tvm.com.mt / Twitter / @TelevisionMalta

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