The collision occurred just after 1.30pm local time near Inca in the centre of the island. Three people were confirmed as dead shortly after the incident but the number of fatalities is now understood to have risen to five. It is believed that one of the dead is a child.
The Balearics Government has issued the following statement: “At 1335 hours today there has been an accident between a helicopter and a small plane in Inca, Costitx’s old road.
“The first balance is of 5 dead people, one of them a minor. Emergency services are acting.”
Ambulances rushed to the scene to attend to those injured in the crash.
Fire services have also arrived, to help extinguish the fire generated as a result of the crash.
Inca’s local police said that the planes have fallen on a farm, on the road from Sencelles to Sineu.
It is not yet known how the incident happened.
Pictures from the scene were shared on social media and show debry from the plane scattered on the ground.
Francina Armengol, president of the Balearic Islands, said she is shocked by the incident and her thoughts are with the victims.
She wrote on Twitter: “We follow with concern and shock the incident that took place in Inca.
“The emergency teams work right now on the site of the accident and the councillor @isabelcastrofer is going there.
“Our thoughts are with the victims.”
More to follow…