France skydiving plane crash kills 11

A tragic accident unfolded in eastern France when a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers plummeted to the ground shortly after departing from Nancy- / Tomblaine Airport. All 11 individuals aboard, including the pilot, five instructors, and five students, perished in the crash.

The aircraft belonged to a skydiving school and was on its inaugural flight of the day when it crashed near the airport's perimeter fence, close to a residential area. Witnesses described the plane falling almost vertically. Fortunately, the crash did not result in any casualties on the ground.

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The plane fell almost vertically.

Among the passengers were five students reportedly on their first skydiving experience. The local nursing association revealed that half of the skydivers on board were nurses, adding a poignant detail to the tragedy. Officials have cordoned off the area as police investigate the cause and circumstances of the devastating incident.

Philippe Tavel, the prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle, described the event as a "terrible tragedy." He, along with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, was en route to the crash site. The investigation into the cause of the malfunction is ongoing.

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A terrible tragedy.