A small private jet crashed in central Mexico on Monday after attempting an emergency landing, resulting in the deaths of all ten people on board, including three children, authorities confirmed.
The aircraft was a Cessna Citation III that had departed from Acapulco on the Pacific coast and was en route to Toluca in the State of Mexico. During the flight, the crew reportedly experienced a serious technical problem that forced them to divert and attempt an emergency landing before reaching their destination.
According to local officials, the pilots tried to bring the aircraft down in an open area near the town of San Mateo Atenco, an industrial zone located only a few kilometres from Toluca International Airport. The area is surrounded by warehouses and small businesses, and officials believe the crew was attempting to avoid a more densely populated zone.
The aircraft, however, failed to land safely and struck the roof of a warehouse used for storing fuel and gas tanks. The impact triggered a large explosion and an intense fire that quickly spread across the site. Thick black smoke was seen rising into the sky and was visible from several kilometres away.
Emergency response teams from nearby towns were immediately dispatched to the scene. Firefighters worked for several hours to control the blaze, while police and civil protection units secured the surrounding area. Due to the risk posed by fuel and gas stored in nearby buildings, authorities ordered the evacuation of approximately 130 people as a precautionary measure.
Mexico State Civil Protection officials later confirmed that all ten occupants of the aircraft had died. The victims included eight passengers and two crew members. Among those on board were three minors. Authorities stated that no injuries or fatalities were reported on the ground.
Residents and workers in the area described hearing a loud explosion followed by flames and heavy smoke. Some witnesses said they saw the aircraft descending rapidly and appearing unstable moments before it crashed.
Local and federal aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Investigators will examine the aircraft wreckage, flight data and maintenance records to determine the cause of the emergency and the sequence of events that led to the crash.
Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending notification of their families. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
