Mexico

Interior Minister dies in plane crash, death toll 13

Article published on the 2008-11-05 Latest update 2008-11-05 15:36 TU

Firefighters stand around the site of the crash in Mexico City
(Credit: Reuters)

Mexico's Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino, 37, and 13 other people died Tuesday evening in Mexico City when Mourino's plane crashed during rush hour, killing at least four on the ground and setting dozens of cars on fire. Rescue services said at least 40 people were injured. Mourino led the campaign against drugs and the drug lords that have fought for territory across the country, but primarily in the north, which has killed some 4,000 people this year alone.

Mexican government security advisor Jose Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, other senior officials, and the pilot and co-pilot died as well.

The cause of the accident is not known, but the pilot had reported a breakdown to Mexico City air traffic controllers before the plane lost contact with the control tower.

President Felipe Calderon paid homage to his staff in a brief statement on Tuesday, and vowed to carry out a complete investigation into the accident.

Mourino and the others were coming from the central state San Luis Potosi, after signing a security agreement, when their Lear jet crashed near the centre of the capital.