Two French military pilots lost their lives in a mid-air collision involving two Rafale fighter jets in eastern France on Wednesday, according to French officials.
The tragic incident, which left one pilot injured, has sent shockwaves through the French military community.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the fatalities in a post on “X” (formerly Twitter), identifying the deceased pilots as Sébastien Mabir and Mathis Laurent. French media reported that one of the victims was a trainee pilot.
Meanwhile, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu also took to “X” to confirm that the third pilot survived the crash.
The two Rafale jets involved in the collision were stationed at the Saint-Dizier Air Base, located in northeastern France, a key hub for the French Air Force.
The circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place during military training exercises.
The Rafale, a twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft developed by the French company Dassault Aviation, is one of the cornerstones of the French Air Force. Known for its versatility, the Rafale is capable of performing a wide range of missions, from air superiority to ground support.
The aircraft has been in service with the French military since 2004 and has been deployed in various international operations, including in Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali.
