A small aircraft carrying 12 people has crashed on the runway of Cork airport this morning. A number of fatalities are feared.
The Manx2 airline flight from Belfast to Cork reportedly overturned and caught fire when making a second attempt to land.
The plane was due to arrive in Cork at about 9.45am. There was heavy fog in the area at the time.
There were 12 people on board the plane, 10 passengers and two crew.
There are unconfirmed reports of a number of fatalities. Four people were seen walking away from the plane.
A spokesman for Dublin Airport Authority, which also operates Cork airport, confirmed the airport had been closed following a serious incident. “An incoming Manx2 aircraft crashed on the airfield on approach to landing shortly before 10am,” he said. “Fire crews are on the scene and the airport’s emergency plan has been activated.”
The Irish Aviation Authority said the plane was making its second attempt to land in "low vis conditions" when the crash occurred.
"There is a fire and debris has been scattered onto the runway and over a wide area," it said in a statement.
The Department of Transport's Air Accident Investigation Unit is on its way to investigate the incident.
Gardaí have closed South Link route between Cork airport and Cork University hospital and motorists have been asked to avoid the area.
