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Hollande expresses "immense sadness" over nationals' death in Argentina

Xinhua, March 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday expressed "immense sadness" over the death of eight French nationals in a helicopter crash in Argentina.

"The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness," the Elysee quoted Hollande as saying in a statement.

The president also sent his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, adding that the French embassy in Argentina and a crisis center under the foreign ministry were mobilized to offer necessary information and aid.

Three French sports stars -- Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat, yachtswoman Florence Arthaud and boxer Alexis Vastine, were among the victims of the crash which was caused by a collision of two helicopters on Monday.

Several members of the ALP TV production company were also killed in the accident.

Monday's crash was the second tragedy that hit a reality show produced by the ALP company for Television Francaise 1 (TF1). In 2013, a doctor in charge of looking after the contestants in a Koh-Lanta show committed suicide after one of the competitors died due to a heart attack. Endi