French Olympians among the dead after helicopter crash in Argentina
Two helicopters collided during the filming of an adventure show, claiming ten lives
A burning wreckage of one of the helicopters in La Rioja
Eight French nationals including celebrity yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and boxer Alexis Vastine were among ten killed when two helicopters collided in Argentina on Monday while filming a French reality TV show.
The accident happened in the rugged western province of La Rioja near the Andes mountains, local authorities said, adding that the cause was not currently known.
"The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness," a statement from French President Francois Hollande's office in Paris said.
It added that several members of the ALP TV production company involved in shooting the adventure show "Dropped" for private TV station TF1 were among the dead. "Dropped" involves contestants being left in the wilderness and having to use their skills to find their way back to civilisation.
TF1 issued a statement expressing sadness and solidarity for the families of the victims, which included both pilots.
