© Reuters / Imelda MedinaMexican police and rescue personnel at the helicopter crash site in Coronango
Governor Martha Erika Alonso and Senator Rafael Moreno died when their helicopter went down outside of Puebla on Monday. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed reports of the tragedy.
"Terrible news," said Senate leader Ricardo Monreal Avila. "We are in sadness and pain after this tragedy."
© Instagram / RafamorenovalleFILE PHOTO: Mexican governor Martha Erika Alonso and her husband Senator Rafael Moreno Valle
Alonso had been in office for only 10 days. She won the election in July to become the first female governor in the history of Puebla, and was sworn in on December 14.
Moreno had served as governor between 2011 and January 2017, and was a member of the Mexican Senate. Both he and Alonso were members of the conservative National Action Party (Partido Accion Nacional, PAN). Party leader Marko Cortes expressed condolences over the deaths of Alonso, Moreno and others on board the helicopter.
Puebla is one of 31 Mexican states, located due east of Mexico City. It has an estimated population of over 6 million residents.
Comment: Whether they are the victims of assassination, which is sadly all too common in Mexico, or they're victims of a helicopter crash, which is also increasingly common these days, remains to be seen: Helicopter crashes outside Leicester football stadium with 4 aboard, including club's billionaire Thai owner