10 Die In Helicopter Crash During Filming Of Celebrity Reality Show, French Olympians Among Those Killed
Ten people have died in a helicopter crash in southwestern Argentina during the filming of French reality survival show “Dropped.” Among those killed are three French sports personalities, two Argentinean pilots and five members of the production team, according to BBC.
The eight French passengers who have died in the crash are medal-winning sailor Florence Arthaud, 57, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Camille Muffat, 25, and boxer Alexis Vastine, 28, and some members of the TF1 survival show “Dropped” crew, while the two Argentinean pilots have been identified as Juan Carlos Castillo and Roberto Abate. Local officials have reportedly confirmed that there are no survivors.
Two choppers were heading to the Andes mountains near Villa Castellia, about 720 miles from Buenos Aires, when an explosion occurred, sending them both crashing to the ground, BBC has reported. The cause of the crash is still unclear, as local officials have said that the weather conditions in the particular area were good at the time. It is believed, however, that the two choppers may have collided in mid-air, because of the nature of the explosion. "Aeronautical experts will have to determine that,” Cesar Angulo, Rioja Secretary of Security, has said.
"The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness," Francois Hollande, President of France, has said in a statement. The TF1 team also has expressed their grief, saying, “All TF1 teams come together in this terrible time with the pain of the families and relatives of the victims.”
Swimmer Alain Bernard, cyclist Jeannie Longo, footballer Sylvain Wiltord, snowboarder Anne-Flore Marxer and figure skater Philippe Candeloro were the other celebrities who were participating in France's popular celebrity reality show. They are all unharmed but still in shock, according to reports.
“Dropped” is an adventure-and-survival –themed reality series that features celebrities from the field of sports who are dropped at a remote, inhospitable location. They have to find food and shelter to survive, without any kind of help provided. The show airs on French television channel TF1.
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