In a tragic incident on Monday, a small aircraft attempting an emergency landing crashed in central Mexico, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals, according to Adrián Hernández, the Civil Protection Coordinator for Mexico State.

The crash occurred in the industrial region of San Mateo Atenco, just three miles from Toluca airport and approximately 31 miles west of Mexico City. The ill-fated plane had embarked on its journey from Acapulco, a prominent city along Mexico’s Pacific coastline.

Hernández detailed that the private jet was carrying a total of eight passengers and two crew members. However, in the hours following the crash, only seven bodies had been retrieved from the site.

It appears the aircraft attempted to make an emergency landing on a soccer field but tragically collided with the metal roof of a nearby warehouse, which ignited a significant fire.

The affected warehouse contained fuel and gas tanks, necessitating the evacuation of the surrounding area, as confirmed by Cristóbal Castañeda, the Secretary of Security for the State of Mexico.

San Mateo Atenco’s Mayor, Ana Muñiz, informed Milenio Television that approximately 130 individuals were evacuated from the vicinity due to the ensuing fire.

“It spun around like when a fan breaks loose,” explained Octavio Contreras, a local resident. “Then we heard the explosion, the truck even moved, and then we saw smoke coming out.”

The Attorney General’s Office later announced that it had launched an investigation.