Four missing in Mexican airforce crash off Acapulco

MEXICO CITY, Dec 17 (Reuters) A Mexican airforce cargo plane with four crew on board crashed into the sea close to the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, the government said.

A team of divers backed by navy launches and helicopters was searching for the four men missing after the accident.

In a statement, the defense ministry said the Antonov AN-32B transport plane crashed late last night while taking part in parachute exercises. The cause of the crash was unknown.

Over the past year, Acapulco, a once elegant resort made famous by Hollywood stars like Errol Flynn, has become a major battleground for rival drugs gangs and armed attacks on police are frequent.

REUTERS PDS BST0505