A system for locating a mobile terminal, in particular for rescuing a person in distress equipped with the said mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is of a type able to communicate via the base stations of at least one radio-communication system. The system comprises: at least a device for alerting the mobile terminal, transported by an aircraft and comprising a repeater connected to the first and second antennae, the said first antenna enabling the repeater to communicate with one of the base stations, the said second antenna enabling the repeater to create a specific, limited radio-communication coverage zone, located close to the aircraft, and to communicate with the mobile terminal, if the latter is located in the coverage zone, in such a way as to alert the mobile terminal and to force it to transmit at least a first message; means for locating the mobile terminal based on the said first message transmitted by the mobile terminal.