A Helicopter of the French National Gendarmerie is seen in Seyne, south-eastern France, on March 24, (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
A French National Gendarmerie helicopter crashed in central France on Sunday afternoon, leaving one gendarme dead and two other crew members injured, according to French news agency AFP.
The aircraft came down near Bray-Saint-Aignan, close to Sully-sur-Loire in the Loiret region, while taking part in a search operation for a missing teenager. The gendarme who died has since been identified as Adjudant Dorian Larigaudrie, while French newspaper Le Figaro reported that the two injured crew members are the female pilot and the mechanic.
The cause of the crash remains unclear and an investigation has been launched into the incident. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with local authorities deploying dozens of firefighters and vehicles to the area. Further information is expected as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
First responder numbers revealed by French media
As per local French media, around 55 firefighters and 44 vehicles were deployed to the scene as part of the major search and rescue operation.
Montargis prosecutor’s office to issue no statement on helicopter crash tonight
The Montargis public prosecutor’s office will not issue a statement on the French National Gendarmerie helicopter crash on Sunday evening, according to French reports on X.
The prosecutor’s office, which is responsible for overseeing judicial investigations in the area, has so far declined to comment publicly on the incident. The decision means there are unlikely to be any further official updates from judicial authorities overnight as investigations into the crash continue.
Accident d’un hu00e9licoptu00e8re de la Gendarmerie Nationale dans le Loiret (45). Le parquet de Montargis ne fera aucun communiquu00e9 ce soir. pic.twitter.com/yexm8ww5FF
u2014 Line Press (@LinePress_Off) June 7, 2026
French Civil Security agency pays tribute
France’s Directorate General for Civil Security and Crisis Management has paid tribute to the victims of the Loiret helicopter crash.
In a post on X, the agency said: “Following the terrible helicopter accident that occurred in the Loiret, the Directorate General for Civil Security and Crisis Management extends its support and solidarity to all personnel of the French National Gendarmerie affected by this tragedy.”
The statement added: “This event recalls the daily commitment of helicopter crews, mobilised in service to our fellow citizens.”
u26abufe0f u00c0 la suite du terrible accident du2019hu00e9licoptu00e8re survenu dans le Loiret, la Direction gu00e9nu00e9rale de la su00e9curitu00e9 civile et de la gestion des crises adresse son soutien et sa solidaritu00e9 u00e0 lu2019ensemble des personnels de la @Gendarmerie nationales frappu00e9s par ce drame.
Cet u00e9vu00e9nementu2026
u2014 Su00e9curitu00e9 Civile (@SecCivileFrance) June 7, 2026
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French minister of the Armed Forces pays tribute
French minister Catherine Vautrin has paid tribute to the gendarme killed in the Loiret helicopter crash and wished the two injured crew members a speedy recovery.
In a post on X, Vautrin said:
“It was with great emotion that I learned of the gendarmerie helicopter accident in Loiret. I extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased warrant officer.
“I send my wishes for a speedy recovery to his injured colleagues and reiterate my gratitude to the soldiers of the gendarmerie for their commitment.”
Vautrin, a senior member of the French government, offered her support to the family of Adjudant Dorian Larigaudrie, who died while taking part in a search mission for a missing person, and to the two injured gendarmes.
French police chief reveals gendarme killed was from Châteauneuf-sur-Loire brigade
French police chief Laurent Nuñez has paid tribute to Adjudant Dorian Larigaudrie, revealing further details about the gendarme who died in the Loiret helicopter crash.
In a post on X, Nuñez wrote:
“This afternoon, Adjutant Dorian Larigaudrie from the Châteauneuf-sur-Loire gendarmerie brigade lost his life while on a helicopter search mission for a missing person alongside his comrades from the Villacoublay gendarmerie air force unit, when their aircraft crashed in the Bray-Saint-Aignan forest.”
He added: “I express my profound sadness in the face of this tragic accident and offer my sincere condolences to the family of Adjutant Dorian Larigaudrie and his comrades, as well as to all the members of the gendarmerie… My warm thoughts are with the two injured military personnel and their loved ones.”
Cet apru00e8s-midi, lu2019adjudant Dorian Larigaudrie de la brigade de gendarmerie de Chu00e2teauneuf-sur-Loire a perdu la vie alors quu2019il u00e9tait en mission hu00e9liportu00e9e de recherche opu00e9rationnelle du2019une personne disparue avec ses camarades des forces au00e9riennes de la gendarmerie deu2026
u2014 Laurent Nuu00f1ez (@NunezLaurent) June 7, 2026
Gendarme killed in French helicopter crash named
The gendarme who died in the French National Gendarmerie helicopter crash has been identified as Adjudant Dorian Larigaudrie in tributes posted by senior French figures.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot and police union leader Jean-Paul Bosland both paid tribute to Larigaudrie, identifying him as the gendarme who lost his life in the Loiret helicopter crash while taking part in a search mission for a missing person.
Tabarot offered his condolences to Larigaudrie’s family, loved ones and fellow officers, while Bosland said his thoughts were with the warrant officer’s relatives and colleagues and expressed support for the wider French National Gendarmerie. Two other gendarmes were injured in the crash.
Ju2019adresse toutes mes pensu00e9es u00e0 la famille, aux proches et collu00e8gues de lu2019adjudant Dorian Larigaudrie.
Soutien u00e0 toute la @Gendarmerie . https://t.co/2o204YsfDbu2014 Jean-Paul Bosland (@BoslandJP) June 7, 2026
One dead and two injured, AFP reports
French news agency AFP has reported that one person was killed and two others injured after a French National Gendarmerie helicopter crashed in the Loiret region of central France.
The update, carried by HuffPost France, said the aircraft came down near Bray-Saint-Aignan in the Orléans state forest while taking part in a search operation for a missing teenager. According to French newspaper Le Figaro, the two injured crew members are the female pilot and the mechanic.
The identity of the gendarme who died has not yet been released, while the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
French Gendarmerie confirms helicopter crew belonged to specialist air unit
The French National Gendarmerie has confirmed that the helicopter involved in the Loiret crash was taking part in a search operation for a vulnerable missing person.
In a statement posted on X, the force said:
“All our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and comrades of the helicopter crew from the Forces Aériennes de la Gendarmerie Nationale (FAGN) unit. They were engaged in a search operation for a vulnerable missing person.”
The Gendarmerie also confirmed that its director general, Army General Hubert Bonneau, travelled immediately to the scene of the crash near Orléans.
The statement comes as investigations into the incident continue. Authorities have yet to release any information on casualties.
#Loiret u26abufe0f Toutes nos pensu00e9es accompagnent les familles, les proches et les camarades de l’u00e9quipage de l’hu00e9licoptu00e8re des @Forcesaeriennes de la gendarmerie ayant eu un grave accident pru00e8s d’#Orlu00e9ans.
Ils u00e9taient engagu00e9s dans une opu00e9ration de recherche d’une personne vulnu00e9rableu2026u2014 Gendarmerie nationale (@Gendarmerie) June 7, 2026
What we know so far
-A French National Gendarmerie helicopter crashed on Sunday afternoon in the Loiret region of central France.
-The aircraft came down near Bray-Saint-Aignan in the Lorris massif of the Orléans state forest.
-Local authorities deployed 54 firefighters and 44 emergency vehicles to the scene.
-French news agency AFP, citing a source close to the investigation, reported that several fatalities are feared.
-French authorities have not yet officially confirmed the death toll.
-French outlet Ici reported that the helicopter may have been involved in the search for a missing teenager, who was later found safe.
-Specialist forensic investigators have arrived at the crash site.
-Loiret prefect Hugues Moutouh travelled to the scene and described the incident as a “terrible accident”.
-The cause of the crash remains unknown.
-An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
Forensic investigators at scene
Forensic investigators are at the scene, according to French outlet Ici.
Authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident in the Loiret region.
French politician says ‘several deaths’ in helicopter crash – authorities yet to confirm
French politician Jordan Bardella has suggested that several people died in the French National Gendarmerie helicopter crash in central France.
In a post on X, the president of the National Rally party said:
“All of France is united this evening in grief, as we mourn several deaths within the national gendarmerie.”
French authorities have not yet officially confirmed a death toll, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
Loiret prefect pays tribute after ‘terrible’ helicopter crash
The prefect of the Centre-Val de Loire and Loiret departments has paid tribute to the French National Gendarmerie following the helicopter crash in central France.
In a post on X, the prefect said:
“All my thoughts are with the French National Gendarmerie following the terrible helicopter accident that occurred in the Loiret.
“Every day in France, thousands of women and men in uniform risk their lives to protect us. The Nation owes them recognition and respect.”
Toutes mes pensu00e9es accompagnent la gendarmerie nationale apru00e8s le terrible accident du2019hu00e9licoptu00e8re survenu dans le Loiret. Chaque jour, en France, des milliers de femmes et du2019hommes en uniforme risquent leur vie pour nous protu00e9ger. La Nation leur doit reconnaissance et respect. pic.twitter.com/MWtbKZ88Bx
u2014 Pru00e9fet Centre-Val de Loire et Loiret (@Prefet45_Centre) June 7, 2026
Loiret prefect travels to French helicopter crash site
The prefect of the Loiret department travelled to the scene of the French National Gendarmerie helicopter crash, according to French news website Police & Réalités.
The prefect is the French government’s most senior representative in the department, with a role similar to a senior civil servant coordinating emergency services and public safety during major incidents in the UK.
The reported visit underlines the seriousness of the crash, which remains under investigation as emergency crews continue to work at the scene.
French helicopter crash aircraft ‘may have been searching for missing teenager’
The aircraft may have been taking part in the search for a missing teenager, according to local reports.
French outlet Ici reported that the aircraft had been flying over the area for several hours on Sunday as military personnel helped look for a teenager from Bouzy-la-Forêt who disappeared the previous evening.
The young person has since been found near La Ferté-Saint-Aubin, although authorities have not officially confirmed whether the search operation was linked to the helicopter’s mission at the time of the crash.
Helicopter was carrying out an operational mission, according to local reports
The French National Gendarmerie helicopter was carrying out an operational mission when it crashed in the Loiret region of central France, according to reports.
Few details about the mission have yet been released, and authorities have not said what the aircraft was responding to at the time of the incident
Several fatalilies feared
French news agency AFP, citing a source close to the investigation, reported that several fatalities are feared.
No official death toll has yet been confirmed however.
What is the Orléans state forest?
The French National Gendarmerie helicopter crashed in the Lorris massif, a section of the Orléans state forest in central France.
Covering around 35,000 hectares, the Orléans state forest is the largest national forest in mainland France. Located north of the Loire River, it is divided into three main areas – Orléans, Ingrannes and Lorris – and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, walking trails and woodland habitats.
The crash was reported near Bray-Saint-Aignan, close to Sully-sur-Loire, in the Lorris massif. While authorities have not disclosed the exact location of the incident, emergency services remain at the scene as investigations continue.
Lorris massif (Image: Google)
54 firefighters on scene
According to the local state authority Loiret prefecture, 54 firefighters and 44 emergency vehicles have been deployed to the scene after the aircraft came down in the Lorris massif, within the Orléans state forest.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were any casualties, while the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.
Emergency services remain at the scene and further updates are expected as investigations continue.
What is the French National Gendarmerie helicopter?
The French National Gendarmerie is a branch of the country’s armed forces responsible for policing and public security duties.
Its helicopters are military-operated aircraft used for a range of missions, including law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency response and surveillance across France.
French National Gendarmerie helicopter (Image: Getty)
Location
Sully-sur-Loire is a town in the Loiret department of central France, around 45 miles east of Orléans and approximately halfway between Orléans and Nevers.
The town lies on the banks of the Loire River and is close to Bray-Saint-Aignan, where the helicopter crash was reported.
Sully-sur-Loire (Image: Google)
French National Gendarmerie helicopter crashed
French media has reported that a a French National Gendarmerie helicopter has crashed sparking an emergency response.
We will bring you more updates as they arrive.