20 Oct 2013

Skydivers killed in Belgium plane crash

10:38 am on 20 October 2013

A small plane carrying a group of skydivers has crashed in Belgium, killing all 11 people on board despite the attempts of several to jump to safety.

The Pilatus plane plane took off from a small airport near Namur in central Belgium and crashed 20 minutes later near Fernelmont, south-east of Brussels. It was carrying members of a skydiving club.

The mayor of Fernelmont told Reuters witnesses reported seeing part of the plane break off, the plane nosediving and crashing into the ground.

The mayor, Jean-Claude Nihoul, said three of the passengers had tried to save themselves by jumping from the plane but they were too late. All on board the plane were Belgian.

He said the plane came down about 250 metres from houses near the village of Marchovelette.

Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo said he learned of the accident with sadness, and offered condolences to the relatives of the victims.