A helicopter crash in the Alps left five people dead and a sixth in a critical condition, French president Emmanuel Macron tweeted, reports Deutsche Welle.
"They take all the risks to save lives," Macron said. "This evening in Savoy three members of the French Air Rescue and two members of the Service Aerien Francais (SAF) were killed in a helicopter crash. Another injured survivor is fighting for their life. Support from the nation to the families, friends and colleagues of these French heroes."
Three other helicopters were dispatched on a rescue mission but were unable to reach the site of the accident due to fog. Nevertheless, a rescue team had managed to establish contact with the one surviving passenger.
Three helicopters and 40 personnel were involved in the rescue mission which carried on well into the evening.
The local prefecture reported that the accident happened near the community of Bonvillard shortly after the pilot triggered an alarm.