Nearly 700 sailors assigned to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle have tested positive for the coronavirus. The French armed forces ministry said almost 1,800 mariners, nearly all from the carrier, had been tested so far. Results have yet to come in for a third of those tests.

Charles de Gaulle initially set sail for the Mediterranean in January to support French military operations against Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria. The carrier had most recently been taking part in exercises with northern European navies in the Baltic Sea.

Charles de Gaulle's warplane and helicopter pilots are also in quarantine. The armed forces ministry said the navy chief has ordered an investigation into the outbreak.