Two helicopters collided mid-air in Argentina yesterday, killing all who were travelling on board.
It has been reported that two French Olympic medallists along with a sailing champion are among those who died in the crash.
Reports state that there were eight French nationals on board and two Argentine pilots.
Olympic gold medal winner at London 2012, swimmer Camille Muffat (25), Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine (28) and sailor Florence Arthaud (57) were named by La Rioja’s government in Argentina as being involved in the crash.
Camille won three medals in the London 2012 Olympics.
A statement identified the other victims as Lauren Sbasnik, Lucie Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert and Edouard Gilles along with pilots Juan Carlos Castillo and Roberto Abate.
“The brutal demise of our compatriots is an immense sadness,” said French president Francois Hollande in a statement.
It is believed that the athletes were in Argentina filming for the reality TV show Dropped.
Boxer Alexis Vastine won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I’m sad for my friends, I’m trembling, I’m horrified, I have no words, I don’t want to say anything,” said Sylvain Wilford, who is said to be one of the show’s contestants, on Twitter.
A statement from the provincial government read: “The helicopter from La Rioja was a Eurocopter with a capacity to hold six people.
“It appears to have brushed against the other helicopter from Santiago del Estero shortly after take-off.”
Florence Arthaud won the 1990 Route du Rhum.
The incident is reported to have taken place about 1,170km outside of Buenos Aires at approximately 5pm local time.
