French sports stars among 10 dead in Argentina helicopter crash

France's Camille Muffat poses with her silver medal on the podium after placing second in the women's 200m freestyle final with an Olympic record during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre in this July 31, 2012 file photo. French President Francois Hollande's office confirmed on March 10, 2015 that eight French nationals were among 10 killed in an accident involving two helicopters in Argentina. The Elysee Palace said in a statement that famed sailor Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Muffat and boxer Alexis Vastine were among the dead. It added that the accident happened during the filming of a TV programme for the TF1 TV channel. [Photo/Agencies]

BUENOS AIRES/PARIS - Eight French nationals including celebrity yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and boxer Alexis Vastine were among 10 killed when two helicopters collided in Argentina on Monday while filming a French reality TV show.

The accident happened in the rugged western province of La Rioja near the Andes mountains, local authorities said, adding that the cause was not currently known.

"The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness," a statement from French President Francois Hollande's office in Paris said.

It added that several members of the ALP TV production company involved in shooting the adventure show "Dropped" for private TV station TF1 were among the dead.

TF1 issued a statement expressing sadness and solidarity for the families of the victims. "Dropped" involves contestants being left in the wilderness and having to use their skills to find their way back to civilisation.