At least 11 people were killed after a civilian aircraft crashed in the town of Tomblaine in northeastern France, Yves Séguy, the Prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle, confirmed on Sunday afternoon.
The plane belonged to a parachutist school. The pilot and all 10 passengers, five students and five instructors, died in the accident, the local prefecture said.
Further, it noted that Séguy activated the departmental operations center (COD) in order to monitor the situation in real time.
Séguy, told broadcaster BFM the aircraft appeared to suffer damage before plunging vertically to the ground. The crash occurred in a built-up area near a shopping center.
"Give or take a few meters and the accident could have caused collateral casualties," Seguy said.
French Interior Minister on his way to scene
The French Interior Minister was on his way to the scene, the French Interior Ministry said.
According to L'Est Republicain, the plane is a Pilatus registered in Germany, a type of plane traditionally used by skydivers.
This is a developing story.
Miriam Sela-Eitam contributed to this report.