Eleven Killed in Small Plane Crash in France

Eleven people were killed Sunday when a small plane crashed in the town of Tomblaine in northeastern France, according to the local prefecture.

The aircraft belonged to a skydiving school. The pilot and all 10 passengers were killed, including five students and five instructors.

The French interior minister was on his way to the crash site. Regional prefect Yves Seguy said the plane likely sustained damage before it crashed vertically into the ground.

The accident occurred in a built-up area of the city near a shopping center. "Give or take a few meters and the accident could have caused collateral casualties", Seguy said.

The local prosecutor's office did not immediately comment on the causes of the crash.

(Reuters, bak)