Mexican interior minister killed in plane crash

Mexico City: Investigators in a plane crash that killed Mexico's interior minister have ruled out foul play, adding that the crash appeared to be an accident.

Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino died when the plane he was aboard crashed into evening traffic in Mexico city on Tuesday night.

"So far, we have not detected any indications that suggest a hypothesis other than that it was an accident," Communications Minister Luis Tellez said.

Tellez told a news conference that Mexican investigators along with experts from Britain and the United States would carry out a "meticulous and detailed" probe which could take weeks.

Seven other people were killed, while 40 others were injured, when the small Learjet smashed into a street in the capital city

Mourning the loss, President Felipe Calderon said: "Mexico has lost a compatriot who worked for the service of his country.''

"The federal government, under my charge, in coordination with the relevant institutions, will carry out all necessary investigations in order to check in depth what caused this tragedy," he said.