Two dead after light aircraft crashes into trees in Germany

Two people were killed when a light aircraft crashed not far from the western German city of Frankfurt on Tuesday.

According to a police spokesman, the plane crashed into trees near the town of Gelnhausen in the south-eastern part of the state of Hesse for reasons so far unknown.

It may have been on the approach to a nearby airport, according to initial information on the accident.

A police spokesperson said that the emergency parachute for the whole aircraft was apparently not triggered. The mechanism, which involves a small explosion, was safely triggered by investigators on the ground.

The victims of the crash were 53 and 67 years old. The plane wreckage was due to be removed with a crane.

There was no impact on the nearby A66 motorway or railway line.

Investigations into the accident were under way, police said.