Plane crash kills pilot, all 10 passengers
A civilian aircraft crashed in eastern France on Sunday, killing the pilot and all 10 passengers on board.
Local authorities confirmed that all 11 occupants of the plane died in the accident, which occurred near the airport in the town of Tomblaine. Local media reported that the aircraft was carrying a group on a skydiving excursion.
According to the local prefecture, the victims included the pilot, five students and five instructors.
Following the crash, police urged residents to “strictly avoid” the area surrounding the airport as emergency responders continued rescue and recovery operations.
The French Ministry of the Interior also confirmed that Interior Minister Laurent Nunez was travelling to the crash site to oversee the government’s response.
The latest tragedy comes just two weeks after another fatal plane crash in the United States claimed the lives of 12 people near Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, Missouri, south of Kansas City.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said at the time that troopers were assisting the Butler Police Department and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office in responding to the crash.
“At this time, reports indicate all occupants (12 total) have perished,” the agency posted on X.
Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing later confirmed that the aircraft involved in the U.S. crash was being used to transport people on skydiving trips.
Source: Al Jazeera.