Paris (Agencies): Two French Rafale jets collided in midair Wednesday in a rare accident involving the cutting-edge military aircraft, prompting a desperate search for two missing crew members.
One pilot ejected following the crash over northeastern France, but an instructor and a student pilot on the second jet are still missing. The two supersonic jets were from the Saint-Dizier air base, an air force spokesman in Paris told media.
“One of the pilots was found safe and sound,” Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on the X social media platform. “The search is still underway” after the crash, he added, thanking armed forces and police involved in the operation.
The collision occurred over Colombey-les-Belles, a town in northeastern France. It was not immediately clear what caused the accident. “The military authorities will report on the causes of the accident,” said the local prefecture.
The 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..