QUITO - Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva and three other people died Wednesday when two helicopters collided in the Pacific port city of Manta, an Ecuadorean government spokeswoman said.

“We can confirm the death of the minister, of one of her children and two pilots in the crash of two helicopters,” Monica Chuji told The Associated Press.

Larriva was named as Ecuador’s first woman defense minister by newly inaugurated President Rafael Correa, taking office on Jan. 15.

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