Pilot and 10 passengers killed in eastern France plane crash

A civilian aircraft crashed in eastern France on Sunday, killing the pilot and all 10 passengers aboard.

The crash happened near the airport in the town of Tomblaine, and local authorities confirmed that all 11 people aboard the aircraft died.

Reports indicate the aircraft was carrying a group on a skydiving trip, and officials said the victims included the pilot, five students, and five instructors.

After the crash, police urged residents to “strictly avoid” the area around the airport while emergency workers responded to the scene.

France’s Interior Ministry also confirmed that Interior Minister Laurent Nunez was traveling to the crash site.

The accident occurred roughly two weeks after another fatal plane crash in the United States that killed 12 people near Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, Missouri.

At the time, the Missouri State Highway Patrol posted on X: “Troopers are on scene assisting the Butler Police Department & Bates County Sheriff’s Office of a Fatal Plane Crash near the Butler Memorial Airport.”

The agency added: “At this time reports indicate all occupants (12 total) have perished.”

Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing said the aircraft was being used to transport people on skydiving trips.