Mexico air crash bomb 'ruled out'

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The Mexican authorities say they have ruled out a bomb as the cause of a fatal plane crash this week.

At least 13 people, including Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino, died when the plane crashed in the centre of Mexico City.

Transport Minister Luis Tellez said no trace of explosives had been found and there also had been no engine failure.

Correspondents say the government wanted to quell rumours that Mr Mourino may have been assassinated.

There had been suggestions he was targeted by criminal gangs seeking revenge over the government's campaign against drugs trafficking.

"The investigation has not found any sign of any explosive substance. An explosion did not cause the aircraft to crash," Mr Tellez told a new conference.

The ministry plane - a Learjet - came down during the rush hour in the financial district and burst into flames.

President Felipe Calderon has paid tribute to Mr Mourino, and said his government would "carry out all necessary investigations to find out the causes of the tragedy".

Separately on Friday, the Mexican army said it had seized the country's largest ever weapons haul.

The 540 weapons were seized in the north-east state of Tamaulipas.

Officials said that the arms belonged to the Gulf drugcartel.