A French Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training mission near Nancy in northeastern France, killing at least one crew member. Search operations were launched for the second person aboard. A drone located the wreckage, enabling emergency teams to reach the site. Authorities are investigating the crash's cause.

A French Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training mission in northeastern France, killing at least one crew member, the French Air and Space Force said on Wednesday. Search operations were underway to locate the second crew member.

The aircraft crashed at around 2100 GMT on Tuesday near its air base on the outskirts of Nancy. An investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the accident.

Air Force spokesman Colonel David Papalardo told local media that at least one of the crew members appeared to have been unable to eject before the crash, AFP reported.

According to the Associated Press, the aircraft was carrying two personnel — a fighter pilot and a weapons systems officer from the French Air and Space Force.