Tourist plane carrying skydivers crashes in eastern France, killing 11
A civilian plane carrying parachutists crashed near a cemetery in Tomblaine, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of eastern France, on Saturday morning. French media report that all eleven on board, including the pilot and two groups of skydivers, were killed.
The crash
A tourist aircraft departed from Nancy-Essey aerodrome on Saturday morning before crashing in the commune of Tomblaine, near the city of Nancy. The crash site was located next to the exit of the local cemetery, according to local media. The prefecture of Meurthe-et-Moselle confirmed the incident involved a civilian plane that had taken off from the aerodrome.
Casualties
Initial reports indicated around ten people were on board the aircraft, with some sources linking the flight to a parachute baptism session. French broadcaster Bfmtv later provided a more precise toll: eleven fatalities, comprising the pilot and two groups of five parachutists.
Official response
Prefect Yves Seguy activated the departmental operational centre (COD) to ensure real-time monitoring of the event. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez is expected at the scene in the coming hours.
- Tourist plane departs from Nancy-Essey aerodrome in the morning
- Plane crashes in Tomblaine near the cemetery exit during the late morning
- Prefect Yves Seguy activates the departmental operational centre for real-time monitoring
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expected at the crash site in the afternoon
What we know
No cause for the crash has been released. The investigation is in its early stages, with authorities focusing on securing the site and identifying the victims. Local residents were urged to avoid the area as emergency services responded.
