Hautes-Alpes: Dutch man dies in 20-meter hang-gliding fall during competition
A 65-year-old Dutch man tragically died on Sunday, August 17, 2025, during a hang-gliding competition in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France, local firefighters confirmed.
Fatal accident caused by strong winds
The accident occurred when the man’s glider detached mid-flight, reportedly due to a sudden gust of wind. The victim fell approximately 20 meters and landed in a field in the commune of Val Buëch-Méouge, where a medical professional pronounced him dead at the scene.
Chabre Mountain: A popular site for gliders
The victim had taken off earlier from Chabre Mountain, a 1,352-meter-high peak well-known among paragliders and hang-gliding enthusiasts. He was participating in the competition and wearing an official competitor's bib at the time of the incident.
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