According to our information, confirmed by our colleagues at *Le Sud Ouest*, a major search and rescue operation was launched on Saturday at around 10.30 pm around Lake Artouste to locate the Civil Protection helicopter, Dragon 64. Having set off on a mission to Lake Artouste late in the day, the crew – comprising the pilot, co-pilot and two firefighters – had not been heard from since 7.00 pm.
However, shortly before midnight, the same source reported that the aircraft was grounded near Artouste due to poor weather conditions. Radio contact had been lost and the crew were unable to reach their base.
It was more of a scare than anything for Dragon 64.