Skydiving plane crashes in France, killing all 11 people on board

A tragic accident in eastern France has claimed the lives of 11 people after a skydiving plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The victims included five instructors, five students, and the pilot.

The Pilatus PC-6 light aircraft, registered in Germany, plummeted to the ground in a grassy field near the Nancy-Essey aerodrome in Tomblaine. Local authorities described the incident as one of the country's deadliest light aircraft accidents.

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Give or take a few meters and the accident could have caused collateral casualties.

Regional prefect Yves Seguy stated that the aircraft appeared to suffer damage before its vertical descent. He noted that the crash occurred close to a built-up area and a shopping center, and "a few meters" difference could have resulted in "collateral casualties." Fortunately, no bystanders were among the victims.

The plane belonged to a local skydiving club. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, and a technical investigation has been launched. Medical and psychological support teams were present at the airfield to assist relatives of the victims and witnesses. The French Interior Minister was expected to visit the crash site.

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There were no bystanders among the victims.