French reality TV cast among 10 killed in Argentine crash
A man stands near one of two helicopters that crashed near Villa Castelli in the La Rioja province of Argentina, Monday, March 9, 2015. Two helicopters with passengers who were filming a documentary crashed Monday in the remote area of northwest Argentina, killing all 10 people on board both aircrafts, authorities said. AP
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Eight French nationals filming a reality TV show were killed Monday along with two Argentine pilots when their helicopters collided in mid-air in northwestern Argentina, officials said.
The cast was filming a survival series in the rugged mountains of La Rioja province when the two helicopters carrying them crashed into each other, officials and media reports said.
“Apparently, the two helicopters collided as they were filming. There are no survivors,” said provincial spokesman Horacio Alarcon.
He said the weather conditions were good and the cause of the crash was unknown.
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A police source said the victims were eight French passengers and two Argentine pilots.
La Rioja’s scenic landscapes are popular with tourists. The crash happened near the town of Villa Castelli around 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) north of the capital Buenos Aires.
Argentine media showed the wreckage of the two helicopters in flames on the dry scrubland.
Local radio station Fenix said there were five people in each helicopter: four French passengers and an Argentine pilot.
The people killed included competitors in a survival show who were flying over Quebrada El Yeso and Quebrada Condado, a remote part of the province.
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