Story highlights A Mexican official reveals new details about "El Chapo" Guzman's latest escape

He fell off what appeared to be a small cliff and has a broken leg, the official says

(CNN) Fugitive cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman fell off what appeared to be a small cliff as special forces chased him earlier this month, a Mexican official with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.

He's believed to have broken his leg and injured his face in the fall, the official said.

The pursuit came after Mexican Marines and other special forces spotted the Sinaloa cartel chief on October 9 near the town of Cosala, in the mountains of Mexico's Sinaloa state, the official said. At the time, he was with a girl, and authorities were reluctant to move in. Later, when they spotted him without the child, the official said, the special forces pursued Guzman on foot.

As they closed in, the official said, Guzman fell off the cliff. His bodyguards rushed to the bottom of the cliff, carried Guzman away and were able to escape in the dense forest, according to the official.

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