Thirteen French soldiers were killed when two helicopters collided during an operation against jihadists in Mali, the French president’s office said.
Monday’s accident is one of the worst losses of life for the French military in decades.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “deep sadness” over the incident. An investigation has begun.
In 2013, France deployed thousands of troops to Mali after Islamist militants seized huge parts of the north.
Mali’s army has since recaptured the territory but insecurity there continues and the violence has spread to other countries in the region. Read more