2023-08-19 01:30:57
Sergeant Baptiste Gauchot died on Friday while participating in a mission in Iraq, announce the Elysée and the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
This Friday at the end of the afternoon, accompanied by a second soldier, he was seriously injured when his vehicle left the road, according to a press release from the Ministry of the Armed Forces. Despite rapid treatment and while undergoing emergency surgery at Erbil hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. Another soldier who was at his side is seriously injured and taken care of in a military hospital in Baghdad.
Deployed in the field since May 2023
Baptiste Gauchot, from the 19th engineer regiment, had been deployed in external operations since May 2023 as part of Operation Chammal. It “contributed to the training of our Iraqi partners in the fields of infantry combat and combat first aid”, continues the Ministry.
“The President of the Republic learned today with deep emotion of the death in Iraq in a traffic accident of Sergeant Baptiste Gauchot of the 19th Engineer Regiment”, indicates the Presidency of the Republic.
“The Head of State reaffirms his support for the Iraqi people and authorities and France’s determination to continue to work alongside them for the instruction of their security forces who are fighting against terrorism”, concludes the Elysee. .
Deep emotion at the announcement of the death of Sergeant Baptiste Gauchot, who died today in Iraq in a traffic accident during a training mission for the benefit of the Iraqi army.
France joins in the pain of his family and his brothers in arms @RG_19e. pic.twitter.com/7kbN1VQ6Xo
— Sebastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) August 18, 2023
The Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, also expressed his “strong emotion” after the death of Baptiste Gauchot. “France joins in the pain of his family and his brothers in arms of the 19th Engineer Regiment,” he added. Thierry Burkhard, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, declares for his part to bow “before the memory of this soldier who died in operation in the accomplishment of his mission”.
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