Pilot, 10 passengers die in eastern France plane crash

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

The crash occurred near the airport in the town of Tomblaine. Local authorities confirmed that all 11 people on board the aircraft died.

According to reports, the aircraft was carrying a group on a skydiving trip. Officials said those who died included the pilot, five students and five instructors.

Following 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 travelling to the crash site.

The accident came about two weeks after another deadly 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 said 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 take people on skydiving trips.