Three French soldiers die in Afghanistan -Elysee
PARIS, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Three French soldiers died in an accident during a night time operation in Afghanistan, French President Nicolas Sarkzoy's office said on Sunday.
A military spokesman told France's I-Tele that the three men died when their unit was hit by a violent storm, with one soldier struck down by lightning and the two others swept away by a fast flowing river.
Sarkozy's office gave no details of the accident, saying only that it took place in the Afghanya valley.
"These three soldiers ... have paid with their life for France's commitment to peace and the security of the Afghan people," Sarkozy's office said, adding that the president continued to support this mission.
The unnamed military spokesman said the French soldiers had been tracking down insurgents who had been preparing homemade explosives.
Before Sunday's incident, 31 French soldiers had died during operations in Afghanistan.
(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; editing by Myra MacDonald)
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