In a rare and tragic accident, two French Air Force Rafale fighter jets collided during a training exercise, resulting in the deaths of two pilots.

The incident occurred near Autreville, on the border between the Vosges and Meurthe-et-Moselle regions.

The deceased were identified as Captain Sébastien Mabire, an experienced instructor, and his student, Lieutenant Matthis Laurens.

A third pilot managed to eject safely and survived.

The collision happened during a combat maneuver while returning from a refueling mission in Germany.

Extensive search operations involving 200 gendarmes and over 50 firefighters were conducted to locate the wreckage and the missing pilots.

Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident, with the French Ministry of Armed Forces emphasizing the rarity of such incidents involving Rafale jets.