Chile police chief dies in Panama crash
PANAMA CITY, Panama (AP) - May 29, 2008 Chile's President Michelle Bachelet rushed to Santiago from
northern Chile when she learned of the death of Gen. Jose Alejandro
Bernales, 59. He was on an official visit to Panama with his wife,
Teresa Bianchini. Also killed were Chilean police commanders Oscar
Tapia and Ricardo Orozco, Capt. Mauricio Fuenzalida, and Tapia's
wife, Carolina Reyes.
Chile decreed three days of national mourning, and flags were
lowered to half-staff.
"We have lost a friend," Chile's Interior Minister Edmundo
Perez said. Bernales had served as police director since 2005.
It was unclear if anyone else was killed. An Associated Press
reporter at the scene saw a body covered by a sheet, but officials
wouldn't say if the victim had been in the helicopter or on the
ground.
Thick, black smoke rose from the damaged building, which
appeared to be a warehouse. Police cordoned off the scene, an area
of the capital packed with clothing stores and small restaurants.
It was unclear what caused the crash.
