5 nurses among 11 killed when skydiving plane crashes in France
Skydiving Plane Crash in France Claims 11 Lives, Including 5 Nurses
5 nurses among 11 killed when - A fatal skydiving plane crash occurred on Sunday in eastern France, resulting in the deaths of all 11 individuals aboard, according to local authorities. The incident marked one of the most severe light aircraft accidents in the nation's history, as reported by officials.
Victims Included Nursing Professionals
Among the deceased were five instructors and the pilot, confirmed by Yves Seguy, the prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle. The five students, who were nurses, were identified by a source connected to the case and verified by Thierry Pechey, head of the nursing council for the region.
"They were colleagues who had chosen to take their first skydiving experience, likely to relax, given the challenging conditions from the heatwave," Pechey stated.
Residents in the nearby city of Nancy witnessed the tragedy as family members prepared to record the tandem skydives, according to the mayor of Nancy, Mathieu Klein. Emergency teams provided medical and psychological aid to victims' relatives and bystanders at the scene.
Crash Site Near Residential Area
The aircraft, registered in Germany, struck a grassy field close to the runway of Nancy-Essey aerodrome, near a populated neighborhood and two roads, as noted by an AFP reporter. Klein described the crash as occurring "just meters from homes," calling the situation "tragic, but potentially even more severe."
Tomblaine mayor Herve Feron explained the plane fell "without apparent explanation during the ascent," with the crash happening "directly downward." He added that the aircraft was "rented for the event, as is common practice for skydiving weekends."
Investigation Underway
The cause of the accident remains unclear, with a technical inquiry initiated, said Amaury Lacote, deputy public prosecutor in Nancy. Authorities have asked people to avoid the airport vicinity on social media platform X to ensure emergency access.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot are scheduled to visit the crash site later in the day, officials indicated.