Two French military’s Rafale jets collide mid air, two personnel dead

The French officials informed that the collision left two military personnel dead while there was a lone survivor in the incident.

In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron mourned the loss of two military personnel namely Captain Sébastien Mabire and Lieutenant Matthis Laurens.

Nous apprenons avec tristesse les décès du capitaine Sébastien Mabire et du lieutenant Matthis Laurens, lors d'un accident aérien en mission d'entraînement en Rafale.

La Nation partage la peine de leurs familles et frères d’armes de la Base aérienne 113 de Saint-Dizier.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 14, 2024

President Macron posted, “We learned with sadness of the deaths of Captain Sébastien Mabire and Lieutenant Matthis Laurens, during an air accident during a Rafale training mission. The nation shares the grief of their families and brothers in arms at Air Base 113 in Saint-Dizier.”

According to the reports of french media, one of the two pilots who died was a trainee pilot while the other was a pilot.

France’s Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu informed on X that the third pilot was found and safe. He also detailed the location of the incident site in the post.

Sincères condoléances et tout mon soutien aux familles du capitaine Sébastien Mabire et du lieutenant Matthis Laurens, à leurs proches et à leurs frères d'armes.

Ce soir, la Nation toute entière est reconnaissante : jamais, nous ne les oublierons.

— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) August 14, 2024

Minister Sebastien, in a post on X said, “An accident involving two Rafales from the Rafale 3/4 “Aquitaine” Transformation Squadron took place in Meurthe et Moselle. One of the pilots has been found, he is safe and sound.”

The planes were based at the Saint-Dizier military installation in northeastern France. The two Rafale jets collided midair which resulted in the fatalities of two military personnel.

The Defence Minister Sebastien also mourned the loss of two military personnel and posted on X, “Tonight, the entire nation is grateful: we will never forget them.”

(with inputs from Reuters)