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Three French sports stars die in Argentina helicopter crash Three French sports stars die in Argentina helicopter crash
(about 1 hour later)
Three French sports personalities are among 10 people killed in a helicopter crash in Argentina, the French presidential office confirms.Three French sports personalities are among 10 people killed in a helicopter crash in Argentina, the French presidential office confirms.
Eight French nationals and their two Argentine pilots died when two helicopters collided in La Rioja province in the country's north-west.Eight French nationals and their two Argentine pilots died when two helicopters collided in La Rioja province in the country's north-west.
Yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine all died.Yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine all died.
The helicopters were involved in the filming of TV survival show Dropped.The helicopters were involved in the filming of TV survival show Dropped.
"The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness," said a statement from French President Francois Hollande."The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness," said a statement from French President Francois Hollande.
The three sports stars killedThe three sports stars killed
Camille Muffat, 25, won three medals, including gold in the 400m freestyle in the 2012 London Olympics. She retired from competitive swimming in 2014.Camille Muffat, 25, won three medals, including gold in the 400m freestyle in the 2012 London Olympics. She retired from competitive swimming in 2014.
Alexis Vastine, 28, won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the light-welterweight category. He was narrowly beaten in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Games.Alexis Vastine, 28, won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the light-welterweight category. He was narrowly beaten in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Games.
Florence Arthaud, 57, was a hugely accomplished sailor, winning the 1990 Route du Rhum, the prestigious solo Atlantic race. A serious car accident put her in a coma when she was 17.Florence Arthaud, 57, was a hugely accomplished sailor, winning the 1990 Route du Rhum, the prestigious solo Atlantic race. A serious car accident put her in a coma when she was 17.
They crashed near Villa Castelli, about 1,170km (720 miles) from Buenos Aires, according to local officials. The helicopters collided during filming near Villa Castelli, about 1,170km (720 miles) from Buenos Aires, according to local officials.
The helicopters were filming Dropped, a popular celebrity show on the channel TF1. The sport stars had been taking part in Dropped, a popular celebrity show on the channel TF1.
The show flies celebrities into rough terrains by helicopter and films their attempts to find food and shelter. The show flies celebrities into rough terrain by helicopter and films their attempts to find food and shelter.
One of the contestants, former France and Arsenal footballer Sylvain Wiltord, tweeted: "I'm sad for my friends, I'm trembling, I'm horrified, I have no words, I don't want to say anything." Five of those killed were said to have worked for Adventure Line Productions (ALP), the company working on the programme. They were named as Laurent Sbasnik, Lucie Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert and Edouard Gilles.
Another cast member, figure skater Philippe Candeloro, was said to be "extremely shocked but unharmed". France in mourning - by Lucy Williamson, BBC News, Paris
France is waking up to the shock of its loss, with the death of the three sports stars and five other French nationals splashed across every paper, every news bulletin.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls tweeted his "immense sadness" saying "all France is grieving this morning".
Meanwhile Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin told the BFM-TV news channel that the three athletes were "among the most outstanding ambassadors for our country".
Former Arsenal and France striker Sylvain Wiltord, who was taking part in the current series, said via social media, "I'm trembling, I can't talk. I'm horrified." And a former team-mate of Camille Muffat, Yannick Agnel said simply: "not her… Let us be strong."
But amid the horror there are also the first signs of anger. Well-known musician Benjamin Bioley has criticised what he called a "horrible TV reality show that serves up cardboard stars and then steals three wonderful athletes".
As the country begins to absorb the news, the questions over this incident and the circumstances that led to it will only grow.
Filming had begun late last month at Ushuaia in the deep south of Argentina and had since moved to the mountainous western province of Rioja.
One cast member, figure skater Philippe Candeloro, was said to be "extremely shocked but unharmed".
The cause of the crash is unclear. Officials have said the weather conditions in the mountainous area where the helicopters went down were good.The cause of the crash is unclear. Officials have said the weather conditions in the mountainous area where the helicopters went down were good.
"An explosion occurred and it's believed that they must have collided,'' said La Rioja Secretary of Security Cesar Angulo."An explosion occurred and it's believed that they must have collided,'' said La Rioja Secretary of Security Cesar Angulo.
"Aeronautical experts will have to determine that," he added."Aeronautical experts will have to determine that," he added.
"We learn with great sadness about the accident during the filming of the Dropped show," said a statement issued by TF1."We learn with great sadness about the accident during the filming of the Dropped show," said a statement issued by TF1.
"All TF1 teams come together in this terrible time with the pain of the families and relatives of the victims.""All TF1 teams come together in this terrible time with the pain of the families and relatives of the victims."
TF1 says the show will be postponed and the rest of the crew is returning home.TF1 says the show will be postponed and the rest of the crew is returning home.
This is not the first time that a reality show produced for TF1 by Adventure Line Productions has been hit by tragedy. This is not the first time that a reality show produced for TF1 by ALP has been hit by tragedy.
Two years ago, a contestant died during the first day of production of one of the channel's ratings winners Koh-Lanta, an adventure show filmed in Cambodia.Two years ago, a contestant died during the first day of production of one of the channel's ratings winners Koh-Lanta, an adventure show filmed in Cambodia.
Gerald Babin, 25, had suffered a cardiac arrest after taking part in a tug of war. He was treated by a staff doctor and was airlifted to hospital.Gerald Babin, 25, had suffered a cardiac arrest after taking part in a tug of war. He was treated by a staff doctor and was airlifted to hospital.
Barely a week later, the 38-year-old doctor, Thierry Costa, took his life complaining that his reputation had been sullied by media reports.Barely a week later, the 38-year-old doctor, Thierry Costa, took his life complaining that his reputation had been sullied by media reports.
The 2013 season of the show was cancelled.The 2013 season of the show was cancelled.