Emergency services rushed to the scene after the helicopter crashed in Sully-sur-Loire.
18:30, Sun, Jun 7, 2026 Updated: 18:30, Sun, Jun 7, 2026
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 has crashed in central France, sparking an emergency response. The aircraft came down on Sunday afternoon near the town of Sully-sur-Loire in the Loiret region, according to reports citing a source close to the investigation.
The cause of the crash remains unclear and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. It is not yet known whether anyone was injured or killed. Emergency services rushed to the scene after the helicopter crashed in Sully-sur-Loire, a town located roughly halfway between Orléans and Nevers. Officials have not yet released details about how many people were on board or what may have led to the aircraft coming down.
Further information is expected as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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.
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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)
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