Helicopter Crash Tragedy Claims Lives of Salvadoran Police Chief and Accused Embezzler

Nine people, including El Salvador's police chief and a man accused of multi-million-dollar embezzlement, died in a military helicopter crash. The incident occurred in Pasaquina, near the Honduran border. An investigation is underway, and President Bukele declared a three-day national mourning period.

In a tragic incident, El Salvador's police chief and a man accused of embezzling millions were among nine victims of a military helicopter crash. The crash took place in the Pasaquina district near the Honduran border on Sunday evening.

Police Director Mauricio Arriaza was accompanying Manuel Coto, a former credit union head accused of embezzling $35 million, back to El Salvador when the helicopter went down. Coto had been arrested earlier in Honduras while attempting to flee to the U.S. and was handed over to Salvadoran authorities.

Among the deceased were three police officers, three servicemen, and a justice ministry employee. The cause of the crash remains unknown, with President Nayib Bukele calling for a thorough investigation. Bukele also announced a three-day national mourning period to honor the victims.

(With inputs from agencies.)