Chinese fans mourn Kobe's passing after accident

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant's untimely death has drawn an outpouring of shock and grief across China, prompting a wave of tributes to the former NBA superstar from the country's sports community and beyond.

Just four months after welcoming Bryant to their country during his latest Asian trip, basketball fans in China are now mourning this week after learning that the former Los Angeles Lakers' 18-time NBA All Star had died at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash on Sunday in California.

Bryant was among nine people on board, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who all died in the tragedy that occurred in poor visibility amid heavy fog.