Seven people were killed in the crash of a single-engine plane in a rural area of the state of Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil, according to local authorities.

The plane crashed at around 13:30 (GMT) after breaking apart mid-air in the mining city of Itabira, as reported by firefighting officials in Minas Gerais to AFP.

Firefighters “found seven dead bodies who were onboard the aircraft,” a statement said.

AFP added that experts from the state civil police, along with members of the investigation and prevention center for aviation accidents, are working at the scene to determine the causes of the incident.