At least 11 people were killed when a small aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in the eastern French town of Tomblaine on Sunday, according to local authorities.
Officials confirmed that the victims included the pilot and 10 passengers on board. Among those who lost their lives were five trainee skydivers and five instructors.
The aircraft, operated by a parachuting school, had departed from Nancy-Essey airfield before it went down shortly after takeoff, local media reported.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, while police urged residents to stay away from the area surrounding the airport in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department as rescue and investigation efforts continued.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot described the incident as a “terrible tragedy” and announced that he and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez were travelling to the crash site.
Authorities said no one on the ground was injured despite the aircraft crashing in a densely populated area close to a shopping centre.
Yves Seguy, prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, told AFP that there were no additional casualties beyond those on board the aircraft.
According to AFP, the plane came down near residential buildings and commercial premises.
“The plane fell almost vertically, in the immediate vicinity of a housing estate, on the edge of the airfield,” Seguy told French broadcaster BFM, adding it was lucky there were no additional victims.
The tragedy has also deeply affected the local healthcare community. Thierry Pechey, president of the Meurthe-et-Moselle branch of the Order of Independent Nurses, told BFM that half of those killed were nurses.
Local officials further revealed that family members of several victims were present at the airfield and witnessed the crash.
