Eleven people have died after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed near the eastern French town of Tomblaine on Sunday.
According to AFP, the aircraft went down near the runway of the Nancy-Essey aerodrome, killing everyone on board in one of France’s deadliest light aircraft accidents.
Yves Seguy, prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, said the victims comprised five instructors, five students and the pilot.
“There were no bystanders among the victims,” Seguy said at a press conference.
The aircraft, which was registered in Germany, crashed into a grassy area close to a residential neighbourhood and two roads.
Authorities said the cause of the crash had yet to be determined.
Medical and psychological support teams were deployed to assist relatives of the victims who were at the airfield, as well as other witnesses.
Amaury Lacote, deputy public prosecutor in Nancy, said a technical investigation had been launched into the incident.
Police also urged residents on X to “strictly avoid” the area around the airport to enable emergency responders to carry out their work.
Laurent Nunez, France’s interior minister, is expected to visit the crash site later on Sunday, according to his staff.
