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Sierra Leona air crash kills 20 Sierra Leona air crash kills 20
(30 minutes later)
A helicopter ferrying passengers to Freetown airport in Sierra Leone has crashed, killing at least 20 people.A helicopter ferrying passengers to Freetown airport in Sierra Leone has crashed, killing at least 20 people.
The 19 passengers are reportedly from Togo and were returning from watching an international football match. The 19 passengers were reportedly from Togo and were returning from watching an international football match.
The two pilots came from Ukraine. One died after jumping out of the craft as it was approaching the airport. There is reportedly one survivor. The two pilots came from Ukraine. They reportedly jumped out of the craft as it was approaching the airport, but only one survived.
Helicopters and ferries are the only way to reach the airport, which is located across a bay from Freetown.Helicopters and ferries are the only way to reach the airport, which is located across a bay from Freetown.
The passengers had been watching Togo beat Sierra Leone 1-0 an African Nations Cup qualifier. The passengers had been watching Togo beat Sierra Leone 1-0 an African Nations Cup qualifier, and had chartered the helicopter for the seven-minute flight from the city to the airport.
The helicopter was a Russian-made Mi-8
The helicopter was operated by Paramount Airlines, and owned by a Nigerian businessman, according to an airline maintenance officer quoted by the AFP news agency.The helicopter was operated by Paramount Airlines, and owned by a Nigerian businessman, according to an airline maintenance officer quoted by the AFP news agency.
The officer said that it caught fire as it was coming in to land at the airport. The officer said that it caught fire as it was coming in to land at Lungi airport.
The Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter was consumed by the flames before airport fire crews could reach it.
The co-pilot has reportedly survived, but is in critical condition.The co-pilot has reportedly survived, but is in critical condition.