Authorities in north-eastern France said 11 people were killed after a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in the town of Tomblaine. The crash occurred in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, according to local officials.

Officials said the aircraft was being used by a parachutist training school. The pilot and 10 passengers died in the incident, including five students and five instructors.

Police urged the public to stay away from the area near the airport as emergency services responded and investigators began assessing the circumstances of the crash. The prefect of the department said there were no injuries reported among bystanders.

French transport and interior ministers were reported to be travelling to the scene as officials described the event as a “terrible tragedy,” noting the aircraft fell near a housing estate close to the airfield.