Two French Air Force jets have collided mid-air while rehearsing a stunt, it has emerged.
The collision occurred near the air base in Saint-Dizier, eastern France, this afternoon during a training drill involving six Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France.
Terrifying footage shows how the group of jets were performing a stunt and firing smoke when two aircraft appeared to collide in mid-air.
The two planes, then suddenly fell to the ground. Both were destroyed in the crash.
Both pilots and a passenger were able to eject from the planes and were ‘found conscious’, according French Air and Space Force officials.
Two people who are in a state of ‘relative emergency’ have been taken to the local hospital, French newspaper Le Figaro reports. The third, described as a ‘multi-trauma sufferer’ is being treated by the Army.
Sébastien Lecornu, France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, confirmed the accident in a statement on X.
‘Emergency services are being mobilised, and coordination is being ensured by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of the Armed Forces,’ Lecornu said.
The collision occurred near Saint-Dizier around 3.35pm today during a training drill involving seven Alpha Jets
Officials say both jets were destroyed in the horrifying incident
One of the jets crashed into the silos at the Calin concrete company, which is located near the airbase in Saint-Dizier. Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze
The two planes collided during a drill near Air Base 113 around 3.35pm today, according to French Air and Space Force officials.
One of the jets crashed into the silos at the Calin concrete company, which is located near the airbase in Saint-Dizier. Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze.
The other plane is believed to have landed in a canal.
The Calin concrete company told the newspaper that police, firefighters and paramedics are on scene.
No civilian causalities were reported in the incident.
Authorities have activated the Sater Plan, a system that organises the search for civil or military aircraft using air, land or radio-electric resources.
The city of Saint-Dizier announced last week that the French Aerobatic Patrol would be practising air exercises from Monday to Friday.
A nighttime exercise was scheduled for this evening. It is unclear if this will continue as planned.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
The Calin concrete company has confirmed that police, firefighters and paramedics are on scene
Smoke billows over the Calin concrete company today after a French Air Force jet collided with another plane and then crashed into one of its silos
