AFRICA, Nov. 26 (CGTN) -- Thirteen French soldiers who were a part of an operation against jihadists in Mali were killed in a helicopter accident on November 25, the French president's office said in a statement on Tuesday.

The accident occurred on Monday evening while the forces were engaging jihadist fighters in Mali's Sahel. The deceased consist of six officers, six non-commissioned officers and a master corporal, according to the Elysee statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron has sent condolences to the victims' families, the statement added.