Publish Date: 13 October 2021 - 12:50

TEHRAN, Oct. 13 (MNA) – A French soldier has died during a maintenance operation in northern Mali, Defense Minister Florence Parly said on Wednesday, bringing France’s death toll since the start of operations in the region to 53.

The soldier, identified as non-commissioned officer Adrien Quélin, “died [on Tuesday] following an accident that occurred during a maintenance operation in Timbuktu", Parly wrote on Twitter, France 24 reported.

The government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, told French TV an investigation was under way.

MA/PR