Fighter Crash in Africa Kills 22, Triggers Anti-French Protests
A French Jaguar fighter jet crashed into a residential area in the capital of the Central African Republic today, killing at least 22 people, injuring 30 and triggering anti-French protests, news reports said.
Diplomat Jean-Pierre Vidon told French media at least 22 people were killed and 30 injured when the Jaguar crashed in the neighborhood, about 3 miles from the center of Bangui.
French diplomatic sources in Bangui said the crash sparked two hours of anti-French demonstrations in which angry protesters threw stones through the windshields of white residents’ cars before being dispersed by police. There were no reports of injuries.
The Defense Ministry in Paris said the crash occurred when the plane developed technical problems while taking off from a nearby military base. The pilot, Michel Etcheberry, 31, ejected from the plane before it crashed and was injured, news reports said.
The French jet was among eight stationed in the Central African Republic to back up French forces in Chad.
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