An Airbus A400M military transport aircraft has crashed near Seville in southern Spain, killing four people.

Video footage showed a thick plume of black smoke rising from the crash scene, 1.6 km north of Seville's San Pablo airport.

In a statement Airbus said it was "devastated to confirm" the loss of four of the plane's six passengers.

It said two others are currently in hospital in a serious condition.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic accident and we are providing all our care and support," it said.

All six crew members were Airbus Defence and Space employees of Spanish nationality, Airbus added.

The cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed, with Airbus refusing to comment.

However one Spanish media report said the plane, which was undergoing flight trials at the airport, crashed into an electricity pylon while attempting an emergency landing.

Spain's airport authority AENA confirmed that an industrial estate near where the Airbus came down in the suburb of Carmona lost electrical power as a result of the crash

AENA said the airport also briefly closed as its fire crews attended the plane crash outside the airport's boundaries, forcing the diversion of several flights to Malaga and Jerez.

Seville is the final assembly point for almost 200 Airbus A400M planes which have been ordered by Spain and six other European NATO countries to replace their ageing Hercules fleets.

Airbus said the aircraft had been intended for delivery to Turkey next month.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said use of its two Airbus A400M planes has been "temporarily paused" as a precaution.

Originally posted at 13.33