A small plane crashed on an Italian highway, reports the New York Post.
The 75-year-old pilot and 60-year-old passenger who were on board the plane died in the accident, News.bg reports.
Footage from the scene of the tragedy, filmed near the city of Brescia, shows the Freccia RG plane plummeting nose down and crashing into the roadway. A powerful explosion followed, sending the plane into a ball of fire and thick black smoke.
The explosion also injured two drivers near the crash site.
According to preliminary information, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on the highway, but was unable to regain control of the speed, which led to a sharp dive and a fatal collision, according to eyewitnesses.
Emergency teams arriving at the scene found the plane completely destroyed.
Authorities are investigating the causes of the tragedy. The Brescia prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the incident.
The Freccia RG is an Italian ultralight aircraft made of carbon fiber with a wingspan of over 9 meters.