Story By: Ernest Bio Bogore, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

A French soldier stationed in Senegal has died at the age of 35 during a boxing sparring session.

According to local media, Captain Francois Sangiovanni of the 19th Engineer Regiment of Besancon died after losing consciousness during boxing training.

Sangiovanni, who had been stationed at Dakar air base 160 in Senegal since December 2019, was transferred to a hospital in the capital Dakar following the incident where he underwent emergency surgery.

The French soldier was then flown to his home country on board a Falcon 2000 business jet, according to reports.

Upon arrival at the military hospital in Clamart near Paris, doctors reportedly pronounced him dead.

Reports said that a crowdfunding campaign has been set up to help his wife and family pay for the funeral costs. Hundreds of people have already donated. Donations can be made here: https://www.leetchi.com/c/a-la-memoire-du-capitaine-sangiovanni

According to local media, Sangiovanni, a native of Gaillac in the French department of Tarn, had no children.

On their social media page, Sangiovanni’s regiment announced that the deceased soldier’s funeral will be “open to all”.

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