NANCY (FRANCE): A small civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff near the northeastern French city of Nancy on Sunday, killing all 11 people on board, according to local authorities.
The aircraft departed from Nancy-Essey Airport and went down in the nearby town of Tomblaine. Officials said the plane suffered a malfunction before plunging almost vertically and crashing near a built-up area, narrowly avoiding casualties on the ground.
The victims included the pilot and 10 passengers who were participating in a skydiving activity. Authorities said the group consisted of five trainee skydivers and five instructors. Emergency services responded immediately, while police cordoned off the area and urged the public to stay away to allow rescue and investigation teams to work.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez was expected to visit the crash site, and an official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Authorities are collecting witness statements and examining the aircraft wreckage as part of the inquiry.
