Drama in France

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The small plane had originally taken off from Hohenems.(Bild: Stadt Hohenems)

An accident tragedy involving a sports pilot (54) from Vorarlberg and his 49-year-old companion in Savoy, France. The two crashed in their small plane immediately after a refueling stop.  

The tragic end to a vacation trip in the Alps: Immediately after take-off from Challes-les-Eaux airfield - located directly on the border with Switzerland - the two-seater sports plane plunged into the ground on Thursday afternoon. All help came too late for the pilot from Vorarlberg and his girlfriend from Tyrol; the couple died in the wreckage.

The BRS 23 aircraft had reportedly taken off from Hohenems towards Switzerland a few hours earlier in order to refuel later in Challes-les-Eaux. It is still unclear how the accident occurred - the investigation is ongoing.

House temporarily evacuated
The rescue operation proved to be difficult. Due to the risk of explosion, a house not far from the accident site had to be temporarily evacuated. This type of aircraft has an emergency parachute that is triggered by a pyrotechnic device. As it was not clear whether this device posed a danger, the demining service was called in. Witnesses reported a loud bang immediately before the crash.

The Foreign Ministry is in contact with the local authorities and relatives have already been informed.