Eleven people have been killed after a light aircraft carrying a group on an introductory skydiving experience crashed near the city of Nancy in northeastern France at around midday on Saturday, in one of the country’s deadliest civilian aviation accidents in recent years.
The plane, which took off from Nancy-Essey Airport in Tomblaine in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, came down on a grassy area near Rue Salvador Allende, close to residential zones and a local cemetery. Local authorities and media reported eleven fatalities. Those on board were understood to be taking part in a baptême de parachutisme — an introductory parachuting experience typically offered to members of the public trying skydiving for the first time.
A major emergency response was launched immediately, with firefighters and SMUR medical teams dispatched to the scene alongside the prefect of the department, who attended in person. An initial risk of explosion and fuel leak was identified following the crash, prompting the establishment of a security cordon around the site. Residents in the surrounding area were asked to avoid the location while emergency services worked at the scene.
The prefect activated the departmental operations centre in response to the incident, with a press conference planned for early afternoon to provide further details. The cause of the crash was not immediately known and an investigation is under way.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
