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Guatemala's Interior Minister Vinicio Gomez and deputy minister Edgar Hernandez were among four people killed in a helicopter crash, a presidential spokesperson said.

"We have confirmation the deceased in the accident were minister Gomez and deputy minister Hernandez, another yet unidentified person and the helicopter pilot," the spokesperson told AFP.

The helicopter was traveling to northern Peten department on Friday for a regional security meeting when it crashed at Purulha, in Alta Verapaz department, the official said.

A local fire service spokesman said the helicopter lost contact with air traffic control at around 1:58 pm (1958 GMT).

The cause of the crash was under investigation, he added.

© 2008 AFP

This story is sourced direct from an overseas news agency as an additional service to readers. Spelling follows North American usage, along with foreign currency and measurement units.