By Skydiving plane crashes in France, killing all 11 people on board
Rescuers work at the site of a fatal skydiving plane crash in Tomblaine, France. (Reuters: Christian Hartmann)
A civilian aircraft carrying skydivers has crashed in eastern France, killing all 11 people on board, local authorities say.
The crash on Sunday killed five instructors, five students and the pilot, said the regional prefect Yves Seguy.
The incident in the north-eastern French town of Tomblaine marks one of the country’s deadliest light aircraft accidents.
Mr Seguy told broadcaster BFM the aircraft appeared to suffer damage before plunging vertically to the ground.
The Pilatus PC-6 light aircraft, registered in Germany, crashed in a grassy field near the runway of the Nancy-Essey aerodrome, close to a built-up area and a shopping centre.
“Give or take a few meters and the accident could have caused collateral casualties,”
Mr Seguy said.
“There were no bystanders among the victims.”
The Nancy-Tomblaine aerodrome following a light aircraft crash in Tomblaine, in eastern France. (AFP: Dimitri Rahmelow)
The plane belonged to a skydiving club and was taking part in a parachute jump, Mr Seguy said.
The cause of the incident was not immediately clear.
Medical and psychological support teams were caring for relatives of the victims who were present at the airfield, as well as other witnesses.
Amaury Lacote, deputy public prosecutor in the eastern city of Nancy, said a technical investigation had been opened.
Police urged people on social media to “strictly avoid” the area around the airport to allow emergency services access.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez is expected to visit the scene of the accident in the late afternoon, according to his staff.
AFP/wires
Originally published on www.abc.net.au — View original