From correspondents in Americas, 07:00 AM IST

Veracruz (Mexico), May 8 (EFE) Three people were killed and another was seriously injured Thursday when a small plane crashed in eastcentral Mexico, authorities said.

The twin-engine Cessna 340 crashed around 9 a.m. three minutes after taking off from Corona International Airport in Veracruz province, the head of emergency service of the province, Ranulfo Marquez, said.

Two crew members and two passengers were on board the plane.

The aircraft came down in an area known as the Tarimoya territorial preserve, killing the pilot, co-pilot and one of the passengers, Marquez said.

The fourth occupant of the plane was seriously injured and was taken to a hospital in Veracruz.

Authorities have begun an investigation into the accident.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)