Two French Rafale fighter jets collided in mid-air on Wednesday in an unusual incident, triggering a frantic search for two missing crew members. These supersonic aircraft, stationed at the Saint-Dizier airbase, were involved in the collision over northeastern France, according to an air force spokesperson in Paris, AFP reported. Although one pilot managed to eject and was later found safe, an instructor and a student pilot from the second jet remain missing.
French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the rescued pilot was in good health, while the search for the others continued. Lecornu expressed his gratitude to the armed forces and police involved in the ongoing rescue efforts.
The collision, which occurred over the town of Colombey-les-Belles, remains under investigation, with military authorities set to determine the cause. The Rafale, a multi-role fighter jet capable of conducting air combat, ground and sea strikes, reconnaissance missions, and even carrying nuclear weapons, is a key asset of the French military.
Patrice Bonneaux, deputy mayor of Colombey-les-Belles, recalled hearing a loud, unusual noise around 12:30 pm, distinct from the typical sonic boom of a jet. “I suspected a midair collision, but it seemed hard to believe,” he remarked, noting that a nearby road had been cordoned off.
The Rafale has a history of accidents, including a crash in 2007 near Neuvic and another in 2009 off the coast of Perpignan. Despite this, it remains a popular export for France, with sales to countries like Egypt, India, and Greece.
