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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Mexico minister killed in crash | Mexico minister killed in crash |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Mexican Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino has been killed along with seven others when his ministry plane crashed in central Mexico City. | Mexican Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino has been killed along with seven others when his ministry plane crashed in central Mexico City. |
| The Learjet burst into flames as it came down during rush-hour in the heart of the capital's financial district at around 1900 local time (0000 GMT). | The Learjet burst into flames as it came down during rush-hour in the heart of the capital's financial district at around 1900 local time (0000 GMT). |
| A former assistant attorney general, Jose Luis Santiago, and other senior advisers were also killed in the crash. | A former assistant attorney general, Jose Luis Santiago, and other senior advisers were also killed in the crash. |
| Correspondents describe Mr Mourino, who was 37, as a rising political star. | Correspondents describe Mr Mourino, who was 37, as a rising political star. |
| President Felipe Calderon paid tribute to the minister, whom he called "one of my closest collaborators and one of my best and closest friends". | President Felipe Calderon paid tribute to the minister, whom he called "one of my closest collaborators and one of my best and closest friends". |
| The cause of the crash remains unknown, and Mr Calderon said his government would "carry out all necessary investigations to find out the causes of the tragedy". | The cause of the crash remains unknown, and Mr Calderon said his government would "carry out all necessary investigations to find out the causes of the tragedy". |
| Officials say they have not detected any signs of foul play, and the crash appears to have been an accident. | Officials say they have not detected any signs of foul play, and the crash appears to have been an accident. |
| But Mr Mourino had been in charge of security during the government's violent battle with powerful drug cartels, and his death is a big blow to the government, says BBC Americas analyst Warren Bull. | But Mr Mourino had been in charge of security during the government's violent battle with powerful drug cartels, and his death is a big blow to the government, says BBC Americas analyst Warren Bull. |
| About 3,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence since the start of the year, and the country's kidnapping rates are among the highest in the world. | About 3,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence since the start of the year, and the country's kidnapping rates are among the highest in the world. |
| 'Enormous explosion' | 'Enormous explosion' |
| The interior ministry officials had been returning to Mexico City from an event in the city of San Luis Potosi when the plane went down. | The interior ministry officials had been returning to Mexico City from an event in the city of San Luis Potosi when the plane went down. |
| Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said the crash had killed all those on board. | Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said the crash had killed all those on board. |
| He added that more people may have died on the ground as a number of cars were destroyed when the plane crashed.Many cars were set alight as the plane crashed in the heart of the capital | He added that more people may have died on the ground as a number of cars were destroyed when the plane crashed.Many cars were set alight as the plane crashed in the heart of the capital |
| "It's likely that we will find other bodies in the vehicles," Mr Ebrard told Mexican television. | "It's likely that we will find other bodies in the vehicles," Mr Ebrard told Mexican television. |
| At least 40 people were admitted to hospital with injuries. | At least 40 people were admitted to hospital with injuries. |
| "The explosion was enormous," an eyewitness told AFP news agency. | |
| "The flames reached higher than the buildings on La Reforma", the witness added, referring to the main street in the city's financial district. | "The flames reached higher than the buildings on La Reforma", the witness added, referring to the main street in the city's financial district. |
| Police and ambulances attended the crash scene as firemen battled to bring the blaze under control. | Police and ambulances attended the crash scene as firemen battled to bring the blaze under control. |
| Correspondents say Mr Mourino had come under recent pressure over allegations he had acted improperly by signing government contracts on behalf of his family's gasoline business while in office. | Correspondents say Mr Mourino had come under recent pressure over allegations he had acted improperly by signing government contracts on behalf of his family's gasoline business while in office. |
| Mr Mourino denied any wrongdoing. | Mr Mourino denied any wrongdoing. |
| Mr Santiago, who had previously been in charge of pursuing extraditions against drug smugglers, had reportedly been the target of at least one planned assassination attempt. | Mr Santiago, who had previously been in charge of pursuing extraditions against drug smugglers, had reportedly been the target of at least one planned assassination attempt. |