US military cargo plane with five people aboard crashes

An American C-130 military cargo plane with five people aboard has crashed in Savannah in Georgia near the airport, causing fire and huge plumes of black smoke.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Highway 21 and Crossgate Roanear the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport on Wednesday, and emergency services were on the scene.

Roads surrounding the crash scene have been closed and the public is advised to stay away from the area as large plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the crashed plane, according to officials.

The plane crashed near the airport around 11:30 am (1530 GMT), reports said.