The body of an 80-year-old hunter was found in the Doubs River near Besançon on Wednesday morning, September 23. The man had been hunting with his dog in the nearby commune of Chalèze the day before. Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of his death, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause. According to the Besançon prosecutor’s office, there is currently no indication that a third party was involved, and the possibility of an accidental death is being considered. The man had not been in contact with his family for some time, prompting his relatives to alert the authorities. Search efforts began in the evening of Tuesday, as local officials and emergency services launched a large-scale operation to locate the missing hunter. On Wednesday evening, significant resources were deployed, including a canine search team, drones, and divers. The use of technology played a key role in the search, with the Doubs Departmental Fire and Rescue Service highlighting the effectiveness of the drone unit. A drone was deployed quickly and located the victim in under 30 seconds, transmitting the location in real time to ground teams to help them reach the body more efficiently. The search operation, which started in the evening, continued for several hours before being temporarily suspended around 1 a.m. In total, seven drones and 16 firefighters were involved in the effort. The successful use of the drone technology underscored the growing role of such tools in search and rescue missions, particularly in difficult or remote areas. The body was recovered in the morning by maritime rescue services and the gendarmerie, concluding the search operation. The case remains under investigation to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the man's death.