A French air-force fighter jet collided with an ultralight aircraft over central on France Monday, killing its two occupants, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The Mirage 200 N was on a training flight over the city of Clermont-Ferrand when it hit the ultralight, a small, low-flying recreational plane resembling a paraglider with a one-propellor motor attached, the statement said.
The smaller aircraft spiralled out of the sky and crashed into the ground, killing the two Frenchmen aboard: the 63-year-old pilot and his 55-year-old passenger.
The Mirage made an emergency landing at Clermont-Ferrand’s airport. Its two pilots were unhurt.
A second Mirage, which had been accompanying the first, flew over the scene and alerted rescue officials before returning to its base in Istres, near Marseille.
An investigation was immediately opened into the accident.
Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie presented her ”sincere condolences to the families” of the two men killed, officials said. — Sapa-AFP