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Stunned France probes deadly Argentina helicopter crash Stunned France probes deadly Argentina helicopter crash
(about 1 hour later)
Prosecutors in France have opened a manslaughter investigation after two helicopters crashed in Argentina, killing eight French nationals.Prosecutors in France have opened a manslaughter investigation after two helicopters crashed in Argentina, killing eight French nationals.
Three well-known French sports personalities were among those killed in the collision, which also claimed the lives of the two Argentine pilots.Three well-known French sports personalities were among those killed in the collision, which also claimed the lives of the two Argentine pilots.
French President Francois Hollande said it was "a cause of immense sadness".French President Francois Hollande said it was "a cause of immense sadness".
Both helicopters were involved in the filming of TV survival show Dropped, which airs on French channel TF1.Both helicopters were involved in the filming of TV survival show Dropped, which airs on French channel TF1.
On the show, celebrities are flown into rough terrain and filmed while they attempt to find food and shelter.On the show, celebrities are flown into rough terrain and filmed while they attempt to find food and shelter.
Yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine were the show's celebrities on board at the time of the crash. They all died.Yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine were the show's celebrities on board at the time of the crash. They all died.
Other contestants were standing on the ground blindfolded a few hundred metres away when the accident happened, French media said. Other contestants were standing on the ground blindfolded a few hundred metres away when the accident happened near Villa Castelli in La Rioja province, French media said.
Reports in Argentina said French swimmer Alain Bernard, who was also taking part in the show, narrowly escaped the crash after getting off one of the helicopters at the last minute to avoid overloading it.
The five other French nationals killed were said to have worked for Adventure Line Productions (ALP), the company making the programme. They were named as Laurent Sbasnik, Lucie Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert and Edouard Gilles.The five other French nationals killed were said to have worked for Adventure Line Productions (ALP), the company making the programme. They were named as Laurent Sbasnik, Lucie Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert and Edouard Gilles.
The Argentine pilots were named as Juan Carlos Castillo and Roberto Abate.The Argentine pilots were named as Juan Carlos Castillo and Roberto Abate.
Emergency workers began removing bodies from the wreckage and identifying remains on Tuesday morning.
Local authorities said the bodies of five victims had been removed and taken to a morgue in the capital of Rioja province, about 300km (200 miles) from the crash site.
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.
Profiles of Muffat, Vastine and ArthaudProfiles of Muffat, Vastine and Arthaud
Emergency workers had removed all of the bodies from the wreckage by Tuesday afternoon, reports the BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes.
Local authorities said they were being taken to a morgue in the capital of La Rioja province, about 300km (200 miles) from the crash site.
The cause of the crash is as yet unclear and investigations are under way. The inquiry in France is standard procedure when its nationals die overseas.The cause of the crash is as yet unclear and investigations are under way. The inquiry in France is standard procedure when its nationals die overseas.
President Hollande is sending two investigators and two aeronautical advisors to Argentina to assist in finding out what went wrong.President Hollande is sending two investigators and two aeronautical advisors to Argentina to assist in finding out what went wrong.
'Great athletes''Great athletes'
Tributes have poured in to the dead stars from France and beyond.Tributes have poured in to the dead stars from France and beyond.
"We are shocked by this sad news," said Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee."We are shocked by this sad news," said Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee.
"The world of sport and the Olympic family have lost three of their key members," he said, calling them champions and role models."The world of sport and the Olympic family have lost three of their key members," he said, calling them champions and role models.
British round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur told the BBC: "Florence's view was that the sea is out there and it's there for the taking.British round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur told the BBC: "Florence's view was that the sea is out there and it's there for the taking.
"You know, I'm sure she's inspired many, many people," she added."You know, I'm sure she's inspired many, many people," she added.
'Miss 100%''Miss 100%'
British swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who took bronze when Muffat won gold in the 400m freestyle at the London 2012 Olympics, said she was "terribly saddened".British swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who took bronze when Muffat won gold in the 400m freestyle at the London 2012 Olympics, said she was "terribly saddened".
"She was very inspiring, a tough competitor, extremely talented and [a] friendly person." Adlington wrote on her blog. "She was always so genuine and gracious.""She was very inspiring, a tough competitor, extremely talented and [a] friendly person." Adlington wrote on her blog. "She was always so genuine and gracious."
Muffat's boyfriend, William Forgues, said she was often called "Miss 100%" because "she won everything".Muffat's boyfriend, William Forgues, said she was often called "Miss 100%" because "she won everything".
"She went on this trip so happy. It was her choice to be there," he told reporters."She went on this trip so happy. It was her choice to be there," he told reporters.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, Muffat's hometown, spoke of his sadness: "I'm distraught. Immense grief," he said.
"I saw her grow up a little as if she were my daughter. I'm thinking of her parents. Camille, we miss you."
Filming for the TV programme began late last month at Ushuaia in the deep south of Argentina and had since moved to the mountainous western province of Rioja.Filming for the TV programme began 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".One cast member, figure skater Philippe Candeloro, was said to be "extremely shocked but unharmed".
Reaction: Lucy Williamson, BBC News, ParisReaction: 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. The death of the three sports stars and five other French nationals was splashed across every paper, every news bulletin.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls tweeted his "immense sadness" saying "all France is grieving this morning".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".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." Former Arsenal and France striker Sylvain Wiltord, who was taking part in the current series, said: "I'm trembling, I can't talk. I'm horrified."
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".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.As the country begins to absorb the news, the questions over this incident and the circumstances that led to it will only grow.
Officials have said the weather conditions in the mountainous area where the helicopters went down were good.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. "Aeronautical experts will have to determine that," he added."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.
"We learn with great sadness about the accident during the filming of the Dropped show," said a statement issued by TF1. TF1 said it had postponed the show and the rest of the crew were returning home.
"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," it said in a statement.
TF1 says the show will be postponed and the rest of the crew is returning home.
Helicopter crashes on locationHelicopter crashes on location