A Learjet 60 crashed in a neighbourhood in southern Florida on Sunday, killing all nine people on board, US officials have said.

The aircraft had departed from Austin, Texas, and was heading to the Bahamas when it came down near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County, less than seven miles from US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths, describing the crash as a “horrific tragedy”. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also called it a “cataclysmic plane crash” and said there were no reports of injuries on the ground.

The aircraft crashed near the entrance to a mobile home park, prompting the evacuation of about 600 residents, Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores said. Those evacuated were taken to shelters.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board.

Crew reported turbulence

An audio recording posted on the LiveATC.net air traffic website captured a cockpit voice reporting moderate turbulence and efforts to manage ice shortly before the crash.

The crew later declared an emergency as the aircraft descended rapidly, with communications ending moments before impact.

Storms had been reported in the area, though authorities have not confirmed the cause of the crash.

Trump had been at Mar-a-Lago earlier on Sunday and departed from the nearby airport about an hour before the Learjet crashed.