Four US citizens and an Australian pilot have died after their light plane crashed into a shopping centre in Melbourne, Australia.

The charter flight appeared to have had a “catastrophic engine failure” shortly after taking off from the small Essendon Airport, said police.

Despite the destruction, no-one was killed or injured on the ground, reports the BBC.

Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews said it was the worst civilian aviation accident in the state in 30 years.

The US embassy has confirmed that four passengers on the plane, bound for Tasmania’s King Island, were US citizens.

BDST: 1659 HRS, FEB 21, 2017
LM/SR