Two people have died after a plane crashed into the Swan River in front of thousands of shocked Australia Day punters gathered at the shore for the skyworks on Thursday.
It is understood a pilot and a passenger were aboard the plane, both of whom have died, according to police spokeswoman Susan Usher.
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Two dead after plane crashes into Swan River
Two people have died after a plane crashed into Perth's Swan River in front of thousands of people gathered for the Australia Day Skyworks display. Vision courtesy Seven News.
The Perth city skyworks have been cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.
The aircraft was ripped in two upon impact, according to a witness who spoke to the West Australian newspaper.
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"I was watching the show and all I saw was the plane just nose dive into the water," Natasha Eyles told the West Australian. "As it hit the water you could the plane break into two."
Witness Craig Newill was with his family when the plane went down.
"We were so stunned and shocked," he said. "We could see him stall. His wings were pointing to the sky and to the water and we thought 'this is not good' then we saw it break into two pieces."
Another witness, Lloyd Douglas, told ABC News he was on a nearby boat when the plane smashed into the water.
"As he banked left he seemed to go further to the left ... and lose forward momentum and lost altitude fairly quickly," Mr Douglas said.
"My concern was that he'd landed in amongst all the small boats up at the east end of the Perth water.
"I don't think — looking through binoculars — that he did hit other boats.
"It did hit the water with a fairly decent force, and goodness, if it had another boat in the water or something it would be a tragedy."
He said there were people climbing over the wings of the plane, shortly after it crashed, trying to extract the people inside.
Mr Douglas said it took several minutes for people to reach the plane, and it was nearby revellers who were first able to get to it.
Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said people should start leaving the city area and those planning to come into the city were asked to stay away.
@7NewsPerth Seaplane crash on Swan River pic.twitter.com/MZH37H6yb7
— Meaghan Hill (@mimi1596) January 26, 2017
URGENT MESSAGE pic.twitter.com/pmvbk12wkq
— Lisa-M Scaffidi (@LisaScafPerthLM) January 26, 2017
#Plane crashes into the Swan River. Horrible sight. Filmed by Mark Annett-Stuart. #AustraliaDay #Perth pic.twitter.com/MPI5wRSxeO
— Jorden Teo (@JordenTeo) January 26, 2017