French reality TV team returns home after Argentine helicopter crash

PARIS - French sports stars and crew from the ill-fated reality TV series Dropped returned home from Argentina on Saturday as experts investigate the helicopter crash that killed 10 people, including three top French athletes.

The week has been "very long, very long", skater Philippe Candeloro said before flying out of Buenos Aires along with the rest of the 27-person team, landing in the French capital at around 1000 GMT on Saturday.

The judge investigating the collision of two helicopters filming the show gave permission for the French participants and crew to return home Thursday after questioning them about the fatal crash.

Monday's disaster killed Olympic champion swimmer Camille Muffat, renowned yachtswoman Florence Arthaud and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine, as well as five French television crew members and two Argentine pilots.

The television programme featured sports stars who were taken blindfolded into rugged environments and given 72 hours to get to a place where they could charge a mobile phone.

French investigators are scheduled to meet the Argentine investigating judge next week.

Initial findings indicate the crash was caused by human error, officials say.