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(Image source: BBC)
BY LOGAN TITTLE
Eleven people are dead after a skydiving trip in Belgium went horribly wrong.
The small plane was carrying 10 Belgian parachutists and a pilot when it crashed in a field around
4 p.m. local time. Sources report one of the wings snapped shortly after the plane took
off, causing it to spiral nose first to the ground. (Via Al Jazeera)
According to reports, those on board included members of a local skydiving club, the pilot
and a woman who was making her first jump for her birthday. At least three of the parachutes
were found open at the scene of the crash.
"It's being declared a national tragedy. Three victims had tried to save themselves by jumping
from the plane, but they were too late." (Via WWLP)
"There are reports four of those on board were desperately trying to escape the plane
as it began losing height. It fell so quickly, they had no time to open their parachutes
as it hit the ground and exploded." (Via BBC)
An eyewitness told BBC he could see parts of the plane falling off as it spiraled to
the ground. The plane landed near a residential area, but no one else was reported injured.
The Telegraph reports the same plane and pilot had already flown about 15 trips earlier in
the day without any problems.
Belgium's king, prime minister and interior minister traveled to the scene to speak with
officials before releasing a statement confirming the accident. An investigation is now underway.
(Via CNN)