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Seven killed as two planes collide in midair over Slovakia Two planes carrying parachutists collide over Slovakia
(35 minutes later)
Two planes carrying dozens of parachutists have collided in mid-air over western Slovakia, killing seven people.Two planes carrying dozens of parachutists have collided in mid-air over western Slovakia, killing seven people.
Slovak media reported 15 other parachutists missing. An aviation official said some reportedly survived by jumping out with their parachutes.
The accident took place on Thursday morning near the village of Červený Kameň.The accident took place on Thursday morning near the village of Červený Kameň.
Rescue workers have been using helicopters to reach the crash site, in the White Carpathians mountain range that forms the border with the Czech Republic.
The government agency that investigates plane crashes said, according to preliminary information, about 40 people – mostly parachutists – were on board the L-410 planes at the time of the collision, which occurred at an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,921 ft).The government agency that investigates plane crashes said, according to preliminary information, about 40 people – mostly parachutists – were on board the L-410 planes at the time of the collision, which occurred at an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,921 ft).
The official said the parachutists on one of the aircraft survived because they managed to jump out before the collision. Local media reported that those who died were pilots and crew members. The official said some of the parachutists on one of the aircraft survived because they managed to jump out before the collision. He did not give a specific number of survivors.
Three rescue helicopters are at the crash site, which was in a hilly area near the Czech border. The TA3 news television said 15 of the parachutists were still missing. It said all the parachutists were training for this weekend’s air show in nearby Slavnica.
Slovak health minister Viliam Čislák and interior minister Robert Kaliňák were heading to the crash site.