Second Fatality Confirmed After French Mirage Fighter Jet Crash
ISTANBUL — Two people have died after a French Air Force Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training mission in northeastern France, French prosecutors confirmed on Thursday, according to broadcaster BFMTV.
The Metz prosecutor’s office said evidence recovered from the crash site indicated that two fatalities had occurred. However, officials noted that DNA testing was still underway to establish the victims’ identities.
Authorities had earlier confirmed the death of the aircraft’s pilot, while search teams continued efforts to locate and identify the navigator.
The fighter jet, which was operating from Nancy-Ochey air base, crashed late Tuesday in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department near the city of Nancy.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:35 pm local time between the villages of Rogeville, Domevre-en-Haye and Tremblecourt.
Henry Lemoine, the mayor of nearby Pont-à-Mousson, said a significant number of police officers and firefighters had been deployed to the area. He added that a drone had helped locate debris from the aircraft.
Authorities established an emergency coordination centre in Rogeville to manage the response. Local officials also warned residents about potential traffic disruptions in nearby areas as emergency operations continued.
A judicial investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine its cause.
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