Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mouriño, 37, the second-highest ranking official in Mexico’s government, was killed last night in a plane crash. The plane plummeted into rush-hour traffic in DF, causing the aircraft to explode. He was among seven other passengers who also died during the crash (video below):

At least 40 people were hurt as the explosion set fire to cars densely packed in slow traffic.

Officials said the crash appeared to have been an accident.

Also killed was Jose Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, a presidential advisor who formerly headed the organized-crime unit in the federal attorney general’s office.

Terrifying. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families.

Mexico interior minister killed in plane crash [LA Times]