Nine people have been killed after a business jet crashed near homes in Florida while on its way to the Bahamas, erupting into a massive fireball.

The Learjet 60 crashed in Palm Beach County, near the Cresthaven area, just before 1pm local time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

The jet plunged 34,000 feet before crashing into the ground in Greenacres, according to reports.

It had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was bound for the Bahamas.

Footage shared on social media shows what appears to be the wreckage inside a huge crater, with flames lining the streets after the jet came plummeting into the ground at alarming speed before erupting into a fireball.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the crash was a “horrific tragedy.”

“Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost,” he added.

Details about the cause of the crash have not yet been released.

Jim Reynolds, spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said it involved a private aircraft and could not immediately provide details about who was on the flight.

“This is definitely a tragedy,” he said.

The event has been described as a “mass casualty incident” by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

FAA statement:

“A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1. Nine people were on board. The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

“The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates.”