TOMBLAINE, France: Eleven people were killed after a plane carrying a skydiving group crashed near the Nancy-Essey aerodrome in Tomblaine, northeastern France, on Sunday morning, authorities confirmed.
According to regional prefect Yves Seguy, the aircraft went down at around 11:00 a.m. local time in a grassy area close to the runway. The victims included the pilot, five student skydivers, and five instructors. No one survived the crash.
Mayor Hervé Féron said the aircraft did not strike any nearby homes, preventing further casualties. “There was no collateral damage, but unfortunately everyone on board lost their lives,” he said, adding that the community was in mourning.
Witnesses reported hearing unusual engine noises moments before the crash. Local resident John Curaka said he heard “a sound as if the engine stopped in mid-air,” followed by a loud explosion.
Emergency services quickly secured the crash site, while police urged the public to stay away to allow rescue teams and investigators unrestricted access.
French authorities have launched a technical investigation into the cause of the crash. Air transport specialists from the gendarmerie are examining the wreckage, while Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot travelled to the scene. Tabarot described the incident as a “terrible tragedy” with a “particularly heavy” death toll.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and the investigation remains ongoing.
