11 dead as skydiving plane crashes in northeastern France

A skydiving plane has crashed in northeastern France, killing all 11 people on board.

The plane, which belonged to a parachutist school, crashed in the town of Tomblaine, the local prefecture said.

‌The pilot and all 10 passengers - ⁠five students ‌and five instructors - died in the accident, ⁠Yves Seguy said.

"There were no bystanders among the victims," he added, speaking at a press conference.

The aircraft, registered in Germany, crashed in a grassy area near the runway of the Nancy-Essey aerodrome, close to a residential area and two roads, an AFP journalist reported.

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.

A technical investigation had been opened, said Amaury Lacote, deputy public prosecutor in the eastern city of Nancy.

Police urged people on the social media platform X to "strictly avoid" the area around the airport to allow emergency services access.