Updated

A French soldier on his second tour of duty in Central African Republic has been killed in a traffic accident involving his light armored vehicle.

The French Defense Ministry said the 26-year-old was a reconnaissance mission in Bouar in the west and couldn't be saved despite help from two others in the vehicle and a doctor. They were also injured, but their lives aren't in danger. No details were given about the crash.

The death was the third among French troops since they moved into the former colony in December in a bid to halt sectarian violence between minority Muslims and majority Christians. About 2,000 soldiers are there.

The ministry said Damien Dolet had also taken part in the intervention in Mali to uproot Islamic extremists from the vast north.