Two Britons are among three people killed in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps.

The light aircraft crashed high in the mountains near the town of Leukerbad in the southern canton of Valais on Tuesday.

The authorities said the Cirrus SR22T took off from Sion airport in the Rhône Valley and, for unknown reasons, collided with a mountain slope about 10 minutes later.

Witnesses reported seeing a fire and smoke.

Emergency teams from the Valais Rescue Organisation, police and firefighters were sent to the scene along with three helicopters.

The Swiss Transportation Safety Board has started an investigation.

And the Valais Police and the Office of the Attorney General have launched a inquiry.

Formal identification of the victims is under way.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed it was “providing support to the families of two British nationals who died in Switzerland”.

It said officials were in contact with the local authorities.

“Our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time,” it added.