Eleven people were killed after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in the town of Tomblaine in eastern France on Sunday, local authorities confirmed.

The pilot and ten passengers, comprising five student skydivers and five instructors, died in the tragic incident. The plane, operated by a parachutist school, had departed from the Nancy-Essey airfield shortly before the crash.

French transport minister Philippe Tabarot described the event as a "terrible tragedy" and stated he was travelling to the scene with interior minister Laurent Nunez. The prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Yves Seguy, reported that no bystanders were injured, a fortunate outcome given the crash occurred in a built-up area near a shopping centre and a housing estate.

Officials indicated that the five student skydivers were experiencing their first jump and that relatives of the victims had been present at the airfield to witness the event. Half of the deceased skydivers were identified as nurses.

A witness reported seeing the plane veer sharply to the right shortly after takeoff, suggesting a malfunction. The witness heard the crash and attempted to assist at the scene, describing the impact as too violent for survivors.

A specialized investigation team has been dispatched to determine the cause of the crash. The incident has prompted a police request for the public to avoid the area surrounding the airport.

The proximity of the crash to residential areas and a shopping centre has raised concerns, though authorities have confirmed no additional casualties. The plane's trajectory and the circumstances leading to the crash are now the focus of the ongoing investigation.

Further details regarding the aircraft's maintenance records and the operational status of the parachutist school are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.