In pictures: Milan plane crash

Emergency services rushed to the scene and crowds gathered in disbelief after a small tourist aircraft hit a skyscraper in the northern Italian city of Milan.

Early reports suggested that the crash at the 30-storey Pirelli building was an accident.

At least three people have been killed and many are reported to have been injured in the crash at 1745 local time (1545 GMT)

Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and saw the windows had been blown out of the building

The pilot reportedly sent an SOS message complaining of a technical problem

The top floors of the 30-storey Pirelli building caught fire after the Piper private aircraft made a hole in the east side

Emergency services cordoned off the area as they attempted to recover the dead and injured

Wreckage from the plane, which had been flying from the town of Locarno in Switzerland, lay in pieces

The Italian interior minister said it was "probably an accident"