Two of the six people injured in this morning's Manx 2 airplane crash at Cork Airport are in a critical condition, the Irish Aviation Authority has confirmed.

A Cork County Council spokesman said six people had been confirmed dead and six more had been taken to Cork University Hospital.

The Manx Airline service, flight number NM 7100 from George Best Belfast City Airport to Cork crashed on the third attempt to land on Runway 17 of Cork Airport with 10 passengers and two crew on board at 9.51am this morning.

The Fairchild Metroliner light aircraft was a scheduled daily flight left Belfast at 8.12am this morning.

A casualty information bureau has been set up at the airport with staff operating a helpline on +353 (0) 21 432 8820.

Manx Airlines has also put an emergency line in place on 0044 2890 427004.

The aircraft is now on its roof on the runway.

The Defence Forces say troops on standby in Cork to assist emergency services if needed.

An unnamed airport worker said a colleague, who had been dispatched to the edge of the runway to meet and greet passengers off the plane, reported that four walking wounded climbed out of the wreckage.

It had been on fire at the time.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) said eight of its ambulance crews, along with a number of rapid response paramedic teams and senior ambulance officers, attended the airport.

The accident will be investigated by the air accident unit of the Department of Transport.

Stormont Transport Minister Conor Murphy said he was in contact with his counterpart in the Republic in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Mr Murphy said: “My thoughts are with the families of those involved and I offer my sympathies to everyone affected.

“I have spoken to the Minister for Transport in the south, Pat Carey TD, and offered the support of my department to help in whatever way we can.

“I continue to be updated on the situation as more details emerge.”

Bishop of Cork and Ross John Buckley arrived at the airport to offer support to relatives of the dead and injured.

“I came up here immediately. I understand that there are some relatives here so I’m hoping to meet them later on after this very sad event,” the cleric said.

“All we can offer is our support, our help and our prayers at this time.”

The plane was a 19-seat Fairchild Metroliner.

Cork Airport has been closed until 6pm this evening at the earliest.

Aer Lingus cancelled four flights in and out of Cork after the accident while a number of others have been diverted to Shannon.