Plane crash: Five killed due to mid-air collision in France

Five people killed as two small planes have collided in mid-air before crashing in western-central France.

According to the local news source, the collision between two light aircraft took place south-east of the city of Tours at about 16:30 local time (15:30 BST) on Saturday.

Emergency crew, including 50 firefighters, cordoned off the crash sites after they were called to the scene.

BBC reported that the smaller aircraft, a microlight carrying two people, landed on a fence around a house in the town of Loches, situated about 46km (29 miles) south-east of Tours.

A witness reported to AFP that it exploded into flames after landing on the house’s electricity meter.

Another witness said that the crash sites have been blockaded and residents have been told to stay in their homes.

On the other hand, a larger plane carrying three tourists on board landed more than a 100m (328ft) away in an uninhabited area.

Local government official Nadia Seghier told AFP news agency, “All five people involved died.”

“Air emergency staff from Lyon were brought in at first to track down the plane, which was quickly found.”

Details about the identities of victims or cause of collision have not been revealed yet. Local police have launched an investigation into the matter.