Skydivers' Plane Crashes: 8 Die In Finland

Eight skydivers have been killed after their plane crashed to the ground and burst into flames in Finland.

Three other people, the pilot among them, survived the accident after they parachuted from the aircraft above Jamijarvi airfield, about 45 miles (70 km) east of the southwestern town of Pori.

Police said the eight victims were found in the badly burned plane - a Comp Air 8 kit aircraft.

The three survivors are being treated for minor injuries.

All the skydivers lived in the local area, police said.

Detective Superintendent Petri Kangas said the cause of the accident was unknown at this stage.

However, he said investigators are looking into eyewitness reports that "some objects or aircraft parts" fell off the plane and appeared to run into engine trouble before it fell rapidly.

The small aircraft is thought to have been travelling at a relatively high altitude of more than 10,000 feet before it plunged to the ground.

Police said witnesses reported seeing "three parachutes detach from the plane which then came down in a steep angle".

Jamijarvi airfield is a popular spot with amateur skydivers.