A skydiving plane crashed in north-eastern France on Sunday, killing all 11 people onboard, according to the region's prefect. The accident occurred near the city of Nancy at approximately 11am local time.
Details of the Crash
The plane, operated by a parachuting school, took off from Nancy-Essey airfield on the outskirts of Nancy before suffering a malfunction. Yves Séguy, the prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, stated that the aircraft "fell almost vertically" immediately after departure. The crash site was on the edge of a built-up area near the aerodrome.
All 11 occupants died in the incident: the pilot and 10 passengers, comprising five students and five instructors. Séguy confirmed there were no casualties on the ground. "Had it occurred just a few dozen metres away, the accident could have caused collateral casualties," he told broadcaster BFMTV.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene. Authorities are collecting witness statements as part of the investigation. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez was en route to the location, according to his staff. The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.
The prefect expressed condolences to the families of the victims. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
