Pilot, parachutist dead in small plane crash in Italy

Two people died when a small plane carrying parachutists crashed and caught fire in Italy's northern Cremona province earlier in the day, reported Xinhua, quoting the National Fire Department on Sunday.

"Small plane crashed... Two occupants are deceased," the National Fire Department said in a tweet.

"Firefighters put out the fire that broke out after impact with the ground," added the tweet. "The aircraft had taken off with parachutists on board from the nearby Migliaro Airport."

The victims have been identified as the 54-year-old pilot and a 41-year-old parachutist, who struck the side of the plane while jumping, causing the crash, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Another five parachutists, who were on board the plane but had already jumped, were unharmed, ANSA added.

Cremona Oggi local online newspaper published photos of the crash site, which was on a farm in the countryside.

The parachutists belonged to a parachuting club at Migliaro Airport, according to Cremona Oggi.