Quito  - At least five people were killed when a military aircraft crashed into an apartment building in thick fog and exploded in the capital of Ecuador.

Four other people were injured, one seriously, in Thursday night's crash in Quito, authorities said.

The eight-seat propeller Beechcraft plane was flying low as it prepared to land in Quito and grazed a tree before it flew into the building, witnesses said.

All three people on the plane were killed, the Defence Ministry said. Two other people on the ground also died, authorities said.

Media reports said six people were killed, but officials did not confirm that toll. (dpa)