At least seven people were killed when a small aircraft crashed while attempting an emergency landing in central Mexico on Monday, according to local authorities.
Mexico State Civil Protection Coordinator Adrián Hernández said the crash occurred in San Mateo Atenco, an industrial area about five kilometers from Toluca airport and roughly 50 kilometers west of Mexico City. The aircraft had departed from Acapulco on the Pacific coast.
Hernández said the private jet was carrying eight passengers and two crew members. Several hours after the incident, authorities had recovered seven bodies, while search and recovery operations continued.
Preliminary information suggests the plane tried to land on a nearby soccer field but instead struck the metal roof of a business facility, triggering a major fire. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
San Mateo Atenco Mayor Ana Muñiz told local media that the resulting blaze forced the evacuation of around 130 people from nearby buildings as a safety precaution.
Emergency responders and investigators remained at the scene as officials worked to determine what led to the accident.