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Tragic Plane Crash in Central Mexico Claims at Least Seven Lives
San Mateo Atenco, Mexico – At least seven individuals, including three minors, have died after a small Cessna Citation 650 jet crashed Monday, December 15, during an attempted emergency landing in the municipality of San Mateo Atenco. The tragic incident occurred shortly before the aircraft was set to arrive at Toluca International Airport, located approximately 60 miles southwest of Mexico City.
According to a statement from Mexico’s Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, the jet, carrying eight passengers, a pilot, and a co-pilot, departed from Acapulco, a city on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The crash took place around 12:30 p.m. local time.
San Mateo Atenco Mayor Ana Muñiz reported that local firefighters were dispatched at 12:35 p.m. following a 911 call. Mexico State Civil Protection Coordinator Adrián Hernández later confirmed the seven fatalities. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Initial reports indicate the jet attempted an emergency landing on a nearby soccer field before ultimately striking an industrial warehouse in the Santa Maria Totoltepec region and erupting into flames. Fortunately, no one was working inside the warehouse at the time of the crash. However, the incident necessitated the evacuation of over 130 residents from their homes.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The Federal Agency of Civil Aviation, the Aviation Accidents and Incidents Analysis Directive, and the Mexican Aero Space Navigation Services Directive are all involved in the ongoing inquiry.