Mexico's top public security official has been killed in a helicopter crash.
Mexican President Vicente Fox said Wednesday that Public Security Minister Ramon Martin Huerta was killed when the Bell-412 helicopter in which he was traveling crashed in mountains near the capital.
At least seven other people on board, including Federal Preventive Police chief Tomas Valencia, were also killed.
Authorities say Mr. Martin Huerta and Mr. Valencia were traveling from Mexico City to a ceremony at the maximum security La Palma prison when the helicopter lost radio contact with the ground. Conditions were said to be cloudy with limited visibility.
Mr. Huerta was a close aide to President Fox and a key figure in the government's anti-drug efforts.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AP, AFP .