News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Hundreds of Arsenal football fans have been stranded in Switzerland tonight when a plane crashed after reportedly just missing a British Airways flight about to leave its airport gate.

Reports say Basel Airport has been closed for the night - stranding several UK-bound flights - following the light plane crash during fog which is believed to have killed the pilot.

British Airways flight BA749 was reportedly at the gate and due to depart at 5.15pm local time.

About 150 to 200 Arsenal fans are said to have been on the BA flight and other services due to leave the airport this evening.

The BA flight was preparing to head for the runway when a Piper PA-34 Seneca II was on final approach to that runway, Aeroinside reports.

But the PA-34 went around, did not climb out and crashed to the left of the runway and burst into flames.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The Mirror understands the BA flight was about to push back away from the airport gate.

A BA spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with those involved in the incident.

"We are looking after customers and re-booking them on to alternative flights.”

BA749 will be night-stopped at Basel airport and the BA276 from Heathrow to Basel has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for tomorrow due to the runway currently being closed.

More Brits were also trying to get home after their easyjet flight to London Gatwick tonight was cancelled.

(Image: Aero Icarus) (Image: Roo Reynold/Flickr) (Image: AMA/Getty)

Emergency Services reported one body was recovered from the PA-34, the website said.

About 150 to 200 Arsenal fans were left stranded after attending a Champions League match yesterday.

Arsenal beat FC Basel 4-1 in the match.

Revealing he was "distraught" and in "shock" with fellow passengers, Arsenal fan Akhil Vyas said people at the windows noticed the plane and the moment of the crash.

They also heard the impact and saw sparks and flames.

"Passengers sitting at the window saw something - some were not entirely sure what it was and others say they saw a plane," he told The Mirror.

"A few heard the impact and spotted sparks and some fire. A mate who was sitting in the left side said he saw some fire/sparks but, again, wasn't sure what it was.

(Image: Twitter/@10akhil)

"The impact was heard by some but, again, no one really knew what it was and thought nothing of it.

"It was also foggy so sight wasn't the most clear."

The pilot later announced what had happened while those on board were kept there for about 2 hours.

"We all saw blue lights later on of the emergency services," Mr Vyas said.

"We were in the plane about two hours after the crash so people were discussing it.

"As most of us were Arsenal fans too, we knew each other."

There are reports of debris on the runway at the airport.

Airlive reported that the airport expected to remain closed all night.