Thirteen French were killed on Monday in a helicopter accident during an operation against jihadist militants in northern Mali, the French president’s office said in a statement on Tuesday, France 24 reports.
The report adds the Elysée Palace said that the accident, a collision between two helicopters, occurred while the forces were engaging jihadist fighters who have staged a series of deadly strikes in northern Mali in recent weeks.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “deep sadness” at the deaths, saluting the courage of French troops deployed in Mali and sharing his condolences for the families of the slain soldiers.
Six officers and a master corporal were among the victims in the deadliest accident since France intervened in Mali in 2013 to drive back an Islamist insurgency.
Via France 24
