Argentine governor Carlos Soria killed by gunshot Published duration 1 January 2012

image caption Carlos Soria had just taken up his post as governor

A provincial governor in Argentina has died of a gunshot to the head while celebrating the new year with his wife.

Police say the Rio Negro governor, Carlos Soria, was at home when the incident happened, shortly before 05:00 local time (08:00GMT).

His vice-governor, Alberto Weretilneck, who will succeed Mr Soria, described it as a "domestic accident".

Mr Soria's wife, Susana Freidos, is being questioned by police, say local media reports.

The governor was only a few weeks into his tenure, having been sworn in on 10 December 2011.

He was a member of Argentina's governing Peronist party and had been elected in Rio Negro by a wide margin.