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Crash kills Ecuador defence chief Crash kills Ecuador defence chief
(40 minutes later)
Ecuador's Defence Minister Guadalupe Larriva has been killed in a crash involving two military helicopters. Ecuador's Defence Minister Guadalupe Larriva has been killed in a crash that involved two military helicopters, officials say.
A spokeswoman for President Rafael Correa quoted by AFP news agency said Ms Larriva's daughter, who was with her in one of the helicopters, also died. Ms Larriva's 17-year-old daughter, who was with her in one of the helicopters, and two pilots also died.
Few details of the accident have been released. The accident reportedly occurred near the Pacific coast. The two helicopters collided near the city of Manta on the Pacific coast.
Ms Larriva took office on 15 January, and was the first woman to serve as Ecuador's defence minister.Ms Larriva took office on 15 January, and was the first woman to serve as Ecuador's defence minister.
President Rafael Correa expressed sorrow over the accident after travelling to the crash site.