Copter Crash in Sierra Leone, 22 Dead

World | June 4, 2007, Monday // 00:00

A total of twenty-two people died in a helicopter crash late on Sunday night in Sierra Leone, international media reported.

The passenger helicopter MI-8, which was reported to be carrying soccer officials visiting from Togo, crashed at Lungi International Airport, near Freetown, the capital.

The only survivor is the pilot, a Russian citizen.

Witnesses said the Russian-made aircraft crashed in front of the VIP section of the airport terminal and burst into flames.

"There was an explosion on board the helicopter before it landed," Donald Bull, general manager of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority, told reporters.

There was no immediate confirmation of the identities of the victims, but a local radio station reported that members of the Togolese soccer federation, who had earlier attended an African Cup of Nations qualifying game played in Freetown, were among the dead.

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