[Updated at 2:41 p.m. ET] Mexico's interior minister, Jose Francisco Blake Mora, was killed in helicopter crash Friday, the government said.

The Super Puma helicopter crashed in the Xochimilco area south of Mexico City, government spokeswoman Alejandra Sota said.

Also killed in the crash were deputy minister Felipe Zamora and the ministry's press office chief, Jose Alfredo Garcia, she said.

In all nine people perished - seven passengers and two crew members, she said.

In July 2010, Mexican President Felipe Calderon appointed Blake Mora to the post that oversees security efforts against drug cartels in Mexico. That battle has has cost thousands of lives.