BFMTV: Preliminary findings point to technical fault in fatal French plane crash UPDATED

A technical malfunction is the preliminary suspected cause of the plane crash in the commune of Tomblaine, in northeastern France's Meurthe-et-Moselle department, BFMTV reports, citing local prefect Yves Seguy, who said the aircraft fell vertically.

According to the report, some of the victims may have been healthcare workers who were due to make their first parachute jump.

While Seguy did not confirm that information, he stressed that relatives of the victims were present at Nancy-Essey Airport, from which the aircraft had departed.

16:28

Eleven people were killed when a light aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in northeastern France.

The victims included five instructors, five recreational skydivers, and the pilot, L'Est Républicain reports.

The aircraft involved was a Pilatus plane registered in Germany. The newspaper noted that aircraft of this type are commonly used for parachute operations.The crash occurred at around 11:00 a.m. local time. 

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez traveled to the scene of the accident.

15:26

A small private aircraft carrying several passengers has crashed in the commune of Tomblaine in northeastern France, according to radio station ICI.

Preliminary reports indicate that several people were on board and all are believed to have died. Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact number of passengers.

The individuals on board were reportedly preparing to carry out tandem parachute jumps.

The crash occurred at around 11:00 a.m. local time. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, and a security perimeter was established around the crash site.

By Jeyhun Aghazada