THE three occupants of a light aircraft which crashed on the Costa del Sol killing everyone on board have been identified as German expatriates, says the Guardia Civil mountain rescue team.
Air-traffic control contacted emergency services after losing contact with the craft at around 16.30 on Saturday whilst it was crossing a mountainous rural area near the village of Canillas de Aceituno (Málaga province).
The aeroplane had taken off from Mutxamel, southern Alicante province, and were heading for the Granada area.
Although it is thought the aircraft crashed at around the time contact was lost, the accident was not confirmed until about 20.00.
Rescuers were sent out in a helicopter, and confirmed on Sunday morning that the pilot and both passengers had been killed outright.
They were formally identified yesterday (Monday), and said to be German nationals believed to have been living on the Costa Blanca.
Police have not given their names or revealed whether they were related.
