Three pilots, including a passenger, were forced to eject from their jets this week when a routine plane rehearsal turned into a disaster in France.
The two jets involved were taking part in a seven-plane training routine with the Patrouille de France (PAF) near an air base in Saint-Dizier when the incident occurred.
Footage of the mid-air collision depicted a number of jets releasing a plume of coloured smoke in unison before two of the jets crashed into each other and plummeted to the ground.
Photographs captured of the scene also show the aircraft erupting into flames after they fell from the sky.
The people onboard the jets can also be seen in the images ejecting from the aircraft and safely parachuting down to land.
One of the aircraft then crashed into a silo at a concrete factory, while the other reportedly landed near a canal.
It’s understood that there were no fatalities from the terrifying incident, but it’s unclear at this point what caused the planes to collide.
An investigation has since been launched by local authorities in an attempt to determine what happened.
Addressing the incident, the French Air and Space Force released a statement that confirmed everyone involved with the collision was ‘safe’ and no people on the ground were hurt.
“At BA 113 in Saint-Dizier, two Alphajets from the @PAFofficiel collided during a 7-plane training flight,” the statement read.
“The 3 pilots, including 1 passenger, were able to eject in time and are safe. There are no casualties to report at this stage in the crash zone.”
French politician Sébastien Lecornu also wrote on social media that the pilots were ‘slightly injured’ but are being supported following the incident.
“The two pilots, as well as a third who was a passenger on board one of the planes, were able to eject and are safe,” he wrote on social media.
“Slightly injured, they were taken into care. Thanks to the emergency services mobilized, thoughts for our pilots of the Patrouille de France.”
Founded in 1953, the PAF is a famous acrobatic unit made up of skilled fighter pilots who complete spectacular displays in Alpha jets. Accidents among the troupe’s aircraft are thought to be rare.
Much like the UK’s Red Arrows, the PAF make appearances on national celebrations in France, such as Bastille Day. (standard.co.uk)