An Aeroprakt A22L Foxbat ultralight and a Bell 206 JetRanger helicopter have experienced a mid-air collision over Inca, Mallorca, Balearic Islands. Both were destroyed.
The two occupants of the ultralight and the five occupants of the helicopter were killed.
The collision occurred just after 1.30pm local time near Inca in the centre of the island. Three people were confirmed as dead shortly after the incident but the number of fatalities is now understood to have risen to seven. One of the dead is thought to be a child.
The smash is thought to have occurred less than 1,000 foot above the ground.
When the blaze hit the ground it triggered a blaze which the fire service has been tackling.
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The exact nature of the crash is not yet clear, with some local reports suggesting it was a microlight rather than a helicopter that collided with the light aircraft.
The nationalities of the dead have not yet been made public. Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez tweeted:
“’Following with worry the information that is reaching us from Inca in Majorca.
‘My solidarity and affection for the people who have lost their lives in this tragic accident.’
Remains of the chopper and microlight are said to have fallen over a wide area which includes several homes. Witness Toni Carbonell told local paper Diario de Mallorca: “The noise of the impact was horrible.”· Another said the sound was a noise between a roll of thunder and a house coming down.
Balearic Islands president Francina Armengol said: ‘We are following with worry and commotion the air accident that has occurred in Inca. ‘The emergency teams are working right now at the scene. Our thoughts are with the victims.’
