Qa'dah 08, 1431 / Oct. 16, 2010, SPA -- Officials said a helicopter carrying oil workers has crashed in southeastern Mexico, killing all eight people on board. Veracruz state Civil Protection chief Silvia Dominguez said the aircraft was traveling from Ciudad del Carmen in Campeche state toward Minatitlan, Veracruz. On board were six mechanics employed by Compania Mexicana de Exploracion SA, a contractor for state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex. Two pilots also died. Dominguez said authorities are investigating possible mechanical failure. She said witnesses reported the Bell 402 Xalur appeared to be on fire before it went down Friday evening in the town of Las Choapas. Authorities found the victims' bodies badly burned at the scene, AP reported.
