Paris: Eleven people were killed when a small aircraft crashed in the northeastern French town of Tomblaine on Sunday, according to local authorities.
The plane, which belonged to a parachute training school, was carrying a pilot and ten passengers — five students and five instructors — all of whom died in the crash.
French Interior Ministry officials confirmed that the interior minister was travelling to the crash site as emergency services responded to the incident.
Regional prefect Yves Seguy said the aircraft appeared to suffer damage before plunging vertically to the ground. The crash occurred in a built-up area near a shopping centre, narrowly avoiding further casualties.
“Give or take a few metres and the accident could have caused collateral casualties,” Seguy told broadcaster BFM.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, while the local prosecutor’s office has yet to issue a statement.