AKIPRESS.COM - A Mexican governor who was sworn in earlier this month and her senator husband have died in a helicopter crash in the central state of Puebla, BBCreported.

The aircraft carrying Puebla Gov Martha Erika Alonso and Sen Rafael Moreno Valle came down shortly after it took off.

The two pilots were killed. Reports say a third passenger also died.

Officials say the helicopter may have suffered an unspecified failure. An investigation has been opened.

Ms Alonso, 45, had been sworn in on 14 December as Puebla's first female governor, after hotly contested polls.

Mr Moreno, 50, had served as Puebla's governor between 2011 and 2017.