2 dead as small plane crashes in Germany

Police say two people were killed when a small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in northeastern Germany.

News agency dapd reported that the twin-engined, Swiss-registered aircraft came down today near the town of Parchim.

Police said that a man and a woman were killed. Two other people on board were injured and taken to a hospital by helicopter after being freed from the wreckage by rescue workers.

The plane had just taken off from the Parchim airfield when the crash happened. Police say that, shortly before it came down, the crew reported technical problems in a radio message to the tower.

There was no immediate word on the victims' identities.