At least seven people were killed Monday after a small plane crashed while trying to make an emergency landing in central Mexico, the Associated Press reported, citing state authorities.
The accident happened in San Mateo Atenco, an industrial district about five kilometers from Toluca International Airport and about 50 kilometers west of Mexico City. The plane, a private jet, had taken off from Acapulco on Mexico’s Pacific coast before encountering problems mid-flight.
Mexico’s civil protection coordinator Adrián Hernández said the plane was carrying eight passengers and two crew members, although only seven bodies were found hours after the crash. Search and rescue operations continued as investigators worked to determine if more people may still be missing.
Officials said the pilot appeared to be attempting an emergency landing at a nearby football field when the plane crashed into the metal roof of an industrial building. The impact caused a large fire, which required the intervention of local firefighters and emergency services.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
San Mateo Atenco Mayor Ana Muñiz told Milenio TV that the fire forced the evacuation of around 130 people from nearby businesses and facilities as a precaution.
Fatal plane crashes in recent history
In recent weeks, several fatal air accidents have been reported involving military and test flights across various regions.
On December 9, a Russian military transport plane crashed during a test flight after repairs, the Defense Ministry said. The Antonov An-22 crashed in an uninhabited area of the Ivanovo region, about 200 kilometers east of Moscow. State news agency TASS said seven people were on board, although their survival was initially unclear. Search and rescue teams have been deployed and an investigation has been launched. Authorities said there was no indication the crash was linked to Russian military operations in Ukraine.
A day later, on December 10, a Sudanese military plane crashed while attempting to land in the eastern city of Port Sudan, killing all crew members on board, military officials said. An Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane reportedly suffered a technical failure during approach to the Osman Digna Air Base, marking another fatal aviation incident in the conflict-torn country.
Earlier on November 21, an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during an air show at the Dubai Air Show, killing its only pilot. The pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, aged in his 30s from Himachal Pradesh, was performing a low-altitude maneuver when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and fell to the ground. Video footage showed the jet bursting into flames moments after impact, casting a somber note on the final day of the international aviation event.
