Seven Others On Board Also Killed, No Reason For Accident Given

A helicopter accident Friday has fatally injured Mexican Interior Minister Francisco Blake and seven other people on board the aircraft. The helicopter went down on a hillside south of the Mexico City.

Blake was a key member of the security team put together by Mexican President Felipe Calderon in the fight against powerful drug cartels. He was instrumental in the implementation of President Calderon's strategy against the drug gangs, and was also the chief negotiator with the opposition party in the Mexican Congress.

Blake is the second Interior Minister for President Calderon to be killed in an aviation accident. Jose Camilo Mourino was fatally injured when the Learjet 45 he was aboard went down on approach to Mexico City Airport in 2008. That accident was attributed to wake turbulence.

Reuters reports that the Mayor of Mexico City said poor weather may have been a contributing factor to the accident. President Calderon cancelled his appointments for the day, as well as a planned trip to Hawaii for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

FMI: www.mexonline.com/mexagncy.htm