President Macron reacts, as 2 Rafale jets collide mid-air, killing two French pilots

A devastating mid-air collision between two Rafale jets in eastern France on Wednesday resulted in the loss of two lives, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed.

The rare and tragic accident involved a training mission gone wrong, leaving one pilot ejected and another two crew members missing.

In a heartfelt message on social media, President Macron mourned the loss of Captain Sebastien Mabire and Lieutenant Matthis Laurens, who perished in the accident.

A search operation was launched to locate the missing instructor and student pilot from the second jet, but unfortunately, they were later confirmed dead.

“The nation shares the grief of their families and brothers in arms at Air Base 113 in Saint-Dizier” in eastern France, he added.

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“One of the pilots was found safe and sound,” Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said earlier on X.

It was not immediately clear what caused the collision that authorities said occurred over Colombey-les-Belles, a town in northeastern France.

“The military authorities will report on the causes of the accident,” said the local prefecture.

The supersonic Rafale “multi-role” fighter, used to hunt enemy planes, strike ground and sea targets, carry out reconnaissance and even carry France’s nuclear warheads, has become a bestseller for the French arms industry.