Two British nationals among three dead in Swiss Alps plane crash in Switzerland

Two British nationals were among three people killed when a light aircraft crashed into a mountain slope in the Swiss Alps.

The single-engine Cirrus SR22T aircraft took off from Sion Airport in the Rhône Valley and collided with the northern slope of a mountain in the Fluhalp area near Leukerbad (in the southern canton of Valais) roughly 10 minutes into the flight.

Local residents alerted emergency services after spotting smoke and fire rising from the wreckage. Three rescue helicopters and specialist teams were dispatched, but all three occupants on board were confirmed dead at the scene.

"We are providing support to the families of two British nationals who died in ⁠Switzerland and in contact with the local authorities," the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said, without providing more details.

The office further confirmed it is providing consular support to the families of the two British victims.

Swiss federal authorities, the Swiss Safety Investigation Authority (SUST), the Office of the Attorney General, and Valais cantonal police have launched concurrent investigations to determine the cause of the crash.