Tributes are multiplying on Friday after the death of the pilot of a water bomber, who lost his life in the crash of his aircraft, while fighting the fires of Générac in the Gard. On Twitter, President Emmanuel Macron hailed "a French hero".
Tonight a water bomber pilot died in Générac fighting the flames. He gave his life to save the lives of others. This is the daily life of all firefighters in France. Thoughts for the family and for the comrades of this French hero.
- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 2, 2019"Tonight, a water bomber pilot died in Générac fighting the flames," writes the head of state. "He gave his life to save the lives of others.This is the daily life of all firefighters in France," he adds before concluding: "Thoughts for the family and for the comrades of this French hero" .
The "emotional emotion" of Édouard Philippe
Earlier in the evening, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe expressed his "strong emotion", and supported the pilots of the Civil Security, as well as "all those who fight against fire, and their families" . "A huge sadness is hugging us all tonight", meanwhile reacted the Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner, who will visit the scene Saturday morning.
TESTIMONIAL - "There was a huge black smoke", describes a resident
The drama took place at 17:20, said a statement from the prefecture of Gard. A judicial investigation has already been opened, under the authority of Nîmes public prosecutor Eric Maurel, who immediately went to the scene. In Générac, nearly 800 hectares of woods, garrigue and vineyards have burned since Tuesday.