Togo is mourning the death of 21 supporters of the national football team, including Togolese Sports Minister Richard Attipoe, in a helicopter crash in Sierra Leone on Monday:

At least 21 people, most of them Togolese, were killed when the Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter operated by Paramount Airlines exploded and crashed late on Sunday at Lungi international airport, 13 km (8 miles) north of Freetown.

Initial reports had put the number of dead at 22, but Sierra Leone officials said the Russian pilot of the helicopter had survived. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The Togolese sports delegation had chartered the helicopter to return to the airport after attending an African Nations Cup soccer qualifying game played in the capital Freetown on Sunday between Sierra Leone and Togo. The visiting team had won 1-0.

Minister killed in ‘copter crash, CNN, June 4, 2007

(via Au Village) Our hearts go out to the Togolese people and to the families who lost loved ones in thi s terrible accident.

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