Two small planes from France and Spain collided over the Mediterranean while scouting for tuna ahead of the fishing season, plunging into the sea with five people aboard on Wednesday.
The French coastguard said two bodies had been recovered and the search continued for the others. The planes were scouting for tuna on behalf of fishing cooperatives before the season opens in May.
Coastguard officials said the accident happened about 100 km (60 miles) out to sea from France's border with Spain. There was no immediate explanation for the collision.