At least 11 people, including the pilot, were killed after a small aircraft carrying skydivers crashed near the town of Tomblaine in northeastern France on Sunday, local authorities said.
The accident occurred at around 11:00 a.m. local time. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene immediately after the crash and launched a rescue operation.
According to Yves Séguy, the prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, none of the 11 people on board survived. The victims included the pilot, five skydiving trainees, and five instructors.
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators are gathering witness statements and examining the aircraft’s technical condition, maintenance records and flight operations as part of the inquiry.
Following the accident, police urged the public to avoid the area surrounding Tomblaine Airport to allow emergency responders and law enforcement personnel to carry out rescue and investigative work without disruption. Security measures around the site have also been reinforced.
France’s Ministry of the Interior said Interior Minister Louis Nunez was travelling to the crash site, while the official investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing.