Lead
Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the French video game publisher Ubisoft, was killed in a plane crash in western France on Friday, authorities and the company confirmed on Saturday. The twin-engine Cessna 421 carrying Guillemot and a flight instructor came down near the Atlantic coast resort town of La Baule, according to multiple reports.
Coverage Comparison
The South China Morning Post reported that Guillemot, 69, died in the crash in La Baule on Friday and that two people were aboard, both of whom perished. The Hindu, citing statements from the office of La Baule's mayor, Franck Louvrier, reported the crash occurred Friday evening near La Baule airport and that the plane was a twin-motor Cessna 421.
TASS, the Russian state news agency, citing the French newspaper Ouest-France, said the aircraft was owned by Guillemot and noted that official identification of his body has not yet been carried out. The Hindu added that the flight instructor was also killed, and both passengers were licensed and experienced pilots, a claim attributed to the mayor's statement.
Key Claims
Claude Guillemot co-founded Ubisoft in 1986 with his brothers, according to all three sources. He was 69 years old at the time of his death, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
The plane crash occurred on Friday near La Baule-Escoublac Airport, with the aircraft coming down in a field just before landing, according to an airport official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The Hindu placed the crash on Friday evening, and TASS said the aircraft caught fire and required a large emergency response.
Two people were aboard the plane, and both died, according to multiple sources. The identity of the second victim as a flight instructor and the detail that both were licensed pilots come from statements by the mayor, as reported by The Hindu.
The cause of the crash has not been specified, and an investigation is underway, authorities said.
Perspectives
The death of Claude Guillemot has prompted expressions of grief from the company he helped build. In a statement quoted by the South China Morning Post, Ubisoft said it was "deeply saddened" and expressed condolences to his family. The company provided no further comment.
Guillemot played a pivotal role in transforming Ubisoft from a mail-order software business into a global gaming powerhouse, known for franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Just Dance, and Rayman, as well as the Tom Clancy series, according to background in the reports.
The incident has also drawn attention to the local community, as La Baule was scheduled to host an air show that weekend, according to Ouest-France, as cited by the South China Morning Post.
As the investigation continues, no official cause has been released, and formal identification of Guillemot's remains is pending, according to TASS.