SAINT-ETIENNE, France: A French Mirage fighter jet and a microlight aircraft collided over eastern France on Thursday, killing the pilot of the light plane, firefighters said.

The Mirage 2000 had taken off on a routine training flight from a base in Luxeuil-les-Bains, in eastern France, firefighters said. It crashed with the microlight plane over the town of Etrigny, killing the pilot.

The victim's name was not released. He was the only person on board the microlight craft.

The Mirage, apparently without serious damage, returned to its base.