Togolese crash victims flown home

By Mohamed Fajah Barrie
BBC Sport, Freetown

Dr Dennis Bright accompanied the bodies back to Togo

The bodies of the twenty Togolese sports officials, who died in a helicopter crash in Sierra Leone, have been flown home to Togo.

Togo's Minister of Sports, Richard Attipoe, was amongst those who died in the crash at Freetown's international airport in Lungi.

He was part of a delegation from Togo that had travelled to Freetown to watch an African Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone, which the Hawks won 1-0.

The bodies were flown home on a special flight provided by the Togolese government, following a short military parade in honour of the dead as well as vigil ceremonies organised by the Inter Religious council of Sierra Leone.

The bodies were accompanied by a high-power delegation from Sierra Leone which included the Minister of Sports Dr Dennis Bright and Deputy Defence Minister Joe Blell.

Transport and Communication Minister Dr Prince Harding has lost his job as a result of the crash and a commission of enquiry has been set up to look in to the causes of the crash.

All commercial helicopter services have been grounded as well.

A book of condolence was opened in Freetown on Wednesday and thousands of Sierra Leoneans have already signed it.

Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Football Association has suspended its national premier league for this weekend to mourn the crash victims.