The French Navy carrier strike group (CSG) returned to Toulon, its home port, on 12 April, 10 days earlier than planned. Charles de Gaulle ’s deployment was cut short after 50 sailors on board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier were diagnosed with Covid-19.
The French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle returned to Toulon, its home port, on 12 April 2020, 10 days earlier than planned after 50 sailors on board were diagnosed with Covid-19. (Marine Nationale)
The French Armed Forces Ministry revealed on 8 April that 40 sailors from Charles de Gaulle had been placed under medical observation with symptoms that could be linked to Covid-19. A team of four doctors arrived on board the same day to conduct tests and assess the situation. 50 of the 66 sailors tested were declared to have been infected by the virus, the ministry confirmed on 10 April.
Following these tests, a decision was taken to reduce the CSG’s deployment by 10 days. The Rafale fighters and Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft took off from the Charles de Gaulle for their naval air stations in Brittany. The carrier, along with the frigate Chevalier Paul, headed for Toulon, while the fleet tanker Somme and frigate La Motte-Picquet headed for Brest. Measures were taken to prevent the virus from spreading on board, including wearing masks.
On 9 April, three sailors were evacuated from Charles de Gaulle by NH90 helicopter to Lisbon, Portugal, from where they were transported to a military hospital in Toulon by a medicalised Falcon 900 aircraft.
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