A helicopter crash Sierra Leone's at Lungi international airport has killed at least 21 people, including Togo's sports minister, according to sports and airport officials.
The helicopter caught fire as it began to land and crashed on Sunday, killing Atipe Kwako and 18 other Togolese sporting officials.
One member of the Russian crew who survived the crash was said to be in a critical condition.
"It was shocking to see the helicopter disintegrating," Alfred Yelinkeh, an airport maintenance officer, was reported as saying.
The helicopter, owned by a Nigerian businessman, was being used to shuttle the Togolese officials to the airport after winning an African Cup of Nations football match 1-0 against Sierra Leone.
The Togo football team was in Freetown awaiting the next shuttle when the accident took place.
Airport authorities said a total of 22 people were on board the helicopter, while sports officials said they believed there to be only 21 on the flight.
Chernor Ojuku Sesay, the Sierra Leone Football Association's public relations officer, said that "most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition".
The fire from the crashed helicopter was only extinguished after several hours, airport workers said.
"We are deeply moved over this development. We are also grieved by this tragic loss," said Nahim Khadi, president of the Sierra Leone Football Association.
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