Mariam Issimdar & Aimee Dexter
BBC News, Norfolk
Annie Green/BBC
A light aircraft has crashed into the sea and a search is under way for passengers, a lifeboat service has said.
Humber Coastguard received a mayday call saying the plane was in distress about two to three nautical miles (3.7 to 5.6km) off the coast at Hemsby Gap in Norfolk at 12:34 BST.
Amanda Deeks of Hemsby Lifeboat said crews from Caister and Gorleston had joined them in the search, alongside a Humber Coastguard helicopter.
She added they had no information as to the type of plane or how many people were on board.
All ships in the area have been asked to respond to the search for the aircraft, which emitted a beacon distress signal before crashing.
It is not known if a life raft was launched from the plane after it landed in the water.
Ms Deeks said lifeboat crews "could be searching for a while".
