Tourist plane crashes in Tomblaine as ‘death toll believed to be very high’

A plane carrying tourists on a skydiving trip has crashed, and several people are understood to have been killed – experts fear the craft may be about to explode

A plane transporting tourists for a skydiving excursion has tragically crashed, killing at least 11 people. The aircraft plummeted in Tomblaine, near Nancy in France, at approximately 11am local time today.

So far around 11 people are believed to have died including five instructors, five students, and the experienced pilot. Three people were reportedly ejected.

The victims of the crash are independent nurses from Nancy who were skydiving for the first time French news outlet L’Est Republicain is reporting. Thierry Pechey, president of the Meurthe-et-Moselle branch of the Order of Independent Nurses, is on site. Local news indicates there’s a potential risk of the plane exploding.

A safety perimeter has been established. In a message posted on social media, the Meurthe-et-Moselle prefecture said the crash involved a civilian aircraft which took off from the Nancy-Essey aerodrome.

It read: “An incident is currently underway in the municipality of Tomblaine involving a civil aircraft that took off from Nancy-Essey aerodrome.

“Yves SÉGUY, prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle, has decided to activate the departmental operational center (COD) in the presence of all operational services in order to ensure real-time monitoring of the event.

“The prefect is on site.”

Local police are urging members of the public to stay away from the crash site. Meurthe-et-Moselle national police posted on X asking people to “Imperatively avoid the Salvador Allende Street area entirely.”

It added: “To keep access clear for emergency services and law enforcement, do not go to the scene. Thank you for facilitating their intervention.”

The crash took place near the exit of a cemetery in Tomblaine. Local news outlet France3 reports: “The human toll is believed to be very high, and the risk of the aircraft exploding is significant.

“Two emergency medical teams have just left the site with flashing lights.”

French media are reporting the type of plane that crashed as a Pilatus which was registered in Germany. This type of aircraft is commonly used in parachute jumps.

The Minister of the Interior is expected to hold a press conference around 4.30pm.

Hervé Feron, the mayor of Tomblaine, said: “The plane was taking off when it suddenly crashed. At the moment, there is no explanation for the accident.

“The crash caused no collateral damage; it occurred on a bike path near a residential area.

“Tomblaine is providing a room at a secret location to accommodate the victims’ families. According to my information, there were five instructors, five skydivers, and the pilot on board the plane, which was probably rented in Germany.

“The Greater Nancy Metropolitan Area is also providing a room for the victims to gather and pay their respects.”

This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.

**You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox **by signing up for our newsletters.

Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.

**Follow Daily Star on Android – **CLICK HERE

**Follow Daily Star on Apple – **CLICK HERE

**Follow Daily Star on Snapchat – **CLICK HERE

You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @‌starbreaksnews and follow us @‌dailystar for all the latest updates.

Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at Daily Star.Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.