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| Sierra Leone air crash kills 19 | Sierra Leone air crash kills 19 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A helicopter ferrying passengers to Freetown airport in Sierra Leone has crashed, killing 19 people, including Togo's Sports Minister Richard Attipoe. | A helicopter ferrying passengers to Freetown airport in Sierra Leone has crashed, killing 19 people, including Togo's Sports Minister Richard Attipoe. |
| The passengers were returning from watching Togo beat Sierra Leone 1-0 in an African Nations Cup qualifier. | |
| One of the two Ukrainian pilots survived when the helicopter burst into flames as it came into land. | One of the two Ukrainian pilots survived when the helicopter burst into flames as it came into land. |
| 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 Togolese passengers had chartered the helicopter for the seven-minute flight from the city to the airport. | The Togolese passengers had chartered the helicopter for the seven-minute flight from the city to the airport. |
| But none of the national football team was on board; they were waiting in Freetown for the next shuttle flight to the airport. | But none of the national football team was on board; they were waiting in Freetown for the next shuttle flight to the airport. |
| The helicopter was operated by Paramount Airlines, and owned by a Nigerian businessman, according to an airline maintenance officer quoted by the AFP. | The helicopter was operated by Paramount Airlines, and owned by a Nigerian businessman, according to an airline maintenance officer quoted by the AFP. |
| The officer said that it caught fire as it was coming in to land at Lungi airport at about 2030 on Sunday. | The officer said that it caught fire as it was coming in to land at Lungi airport at about 2030 on Sunday. |
| "There was an explosion on board the helicopter before it landed," said Donald Bull, general manager of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority. | "There was an explosion on board the helicopter before it landed," said Donald Bull, general manager of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority. |
| The Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter was consumed by the flames before airport fire crews could reach it. | The Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter was consumed by the flames before airport fire crews could reach it. |
| "From what we hear, most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition," said Chernor Ojuku Sesay of the Sierra Leone Football Association. | "From what we hear, most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition," said Chernor Ojuku Sesay of the Sierra Leone Football Association. |
| The co-pilot has survived, but was reported to be in critical condition. | The co-pilot has survived, but was reported to be in critical condition. |
| The Togo players and officials of the team were the next group due to be ferried by the helicopter. | The Togo players and officials of the team were the next group due to be ferried by the helicopter. |
| Joseph Muller, one of the journalists within the Hawks' travelling party, said: "We are shocked at the death of our colleagues, it's unbelievable. | Joseph Muller, one of the journalists within the Hawks' travelling party, said: "We are shocked at the death of our colleagues, it's unbelievable. |
| Those who died included staff members of both the Togolose Sports Ministry and the Togo Football Federation as well as female journalist Olive Menzah. | Those who died included staff members of both the Togolose Sports Ministry and the Togo Football Federation as well as female journalist Olive Menzah. |