At Least 11 Killed After Skydiving Plane Crashes Near Nancy, France

TOMBLAINE, France — At least 11 people were killed Sunday after a skydiving plane crashed shortly after takeoff near an aerodrome outside Nancy in northeastern France, according to regional officials.

Authorities said the aircraft went down around 11 a.m. local time near the aerodrome in Tomblaine, killing everyone on board. The victims included the pilot, five skydiving students, and five instructors.

Yves Séguy, prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, said the aircraft “fell suddenly” immediately next to the aerodrome.

“The plane, which was transporting 11 people, fell suddenly immediately next to the aerodrome. There were no collateral victims,” Séguy said.

Emergency crews responded within minutes and secured the crash site while investigators began collecting witness statements to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.

Officials confirmed there were no injuries on the ground, as the aircraft crashed in an area adjacent to the airport.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez traveled to the scene as authorities launched an investigation into what is being described as one of France’s deadliest aviation accidents of the year.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and investigators have not announced a possible cause of the crash.

The investigation remains ongoing.