Two Deaths Confirmed in French Mirage Fighter Jet Crash

22 October 2026

ISTANBUL — Two people have died after a French Air Force Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training mission in northeastern France, according to prosecutors cited by broadcaster BFMTV on Thursday.

The Metz prosecutor’s office said evidence recovered from the crash site confirmed two fatalities. However, officials stated that DNA testing was still underway to establish the identities of the victims.

Authorities had earlier confirmed the death of the aircraft’s pilot, while search efforts continued to locate the navigator.

The fighter jet, which was operating from Nancy-Ochey Air Base, crashed late Tuesday in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department near Nancy.

The accident occurred at approximately 11:35 p.m. local time between the villages of Rogeville, Domèvre-en-Haye and Tremblecourt.

Henry Lemoine, mayor of nearby Pont-à-Mousson, said a significant number of police officers and firefighters had been deployed to the area. Drone operations also helped locate debris from the aircraft.

Local officials established an emergency coordination centre in Rogeville and warned residents of potential traffic disruptions around the crash site.

A judicial investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine what caused the military aircraft to crash.