Survivors were taken to a local hospital, the Cork County Council said.

Four of the injured are in serious but not critical condition, and the other two are "comfortable," Cork University Hospital said.

The crash caused a fire and scattered debris over a large area, the Irish Aviation Authority said in a statement.

The plane crashed on its third attempt to land in low visibility, they said. The airport and roads around it were closed, officials said.

It was coming from Belfast in Northern Ireland. Flight NM7100, an inbound Manx2 airline flight, was due to land at Cork Airport at 9:45 a.m., the airport said.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness expressed shock at the deaths.

McGuinness sent his "condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in the plane crash. My thoughts are also with those who have been injured."

Irish and British experts will be involved in the crash investigation, authorities said.