Three French rescuers have lost their lives in a helicopter crash while on a rescue mission.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) the EC145 aircraft was on a rescue and reconnaissance flight in Southern France when it came crashing down.
It was carrying 3 people and was found near the town of Rove with its dead occupants. France is currently being pounded by torrential rains that have led to severe flooding and scores of deaths.
The Interior Ministry confirmed the deadly crash in a statement, describing the three victims as everyday heroes.
The ministry sent condolences to the families and colleagues of the victims of the crash and said that investigations to determine the full circumstances of the crash had been initiated.
Law enforcement authorities have sealed off the site of the deadly crash in the hills of Marseille as crash investigators comb the area according to reporting by the French media.
"An investigation will determine the exact circumstances of this tragedy," the statement by the French Ministry of Interior read in part as quoted by DW.
The Var and neighboring Alpes-Maritimes region in southern France have been placed on red alert by the authorities.
Storms in the Var region led to six deaths, causing serious disruptions to traffic and rail services.