8 killed in Finland parachutist plane accident

A helicopter and an ambulance are seen at the Jamijarvi Airfield, southwest Finland, on Sunday April 20, 2014. A small passenger plane carrying parachuters fell to the ground near the airfield on Sunday afternoon. The police say that there are more than three victims. Three people out of 11 on the plane were rescued. AP

HELSINKI — Finnish officials say eight people died when a small plane carrying parachutists crashed to the ground and caught fire.

Det. Supt. Petri Kangas said three people survived the accident Sunday after they parachuted from the aircraft above Jamijarvi airfield, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) east of the southwestern town of Pori.

Kangas said investigators didn’t know the cause of the accident but that “apparently some parts fell off the plane before it crashed.”

Police said the eight victims were found in the badly burned aircraft, a Comp Air 8 kit aircraft, popular among parachutists.

Police said all 11 people on board were accounted for and that the three survivors were being treated for minor injuries.