Three Americans found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning at Mexico City Airbnb, official says.
— U.S. officials have confirmed the deaths of two Americans who were found dead at an upscale hotel near the Mexico City skyline, with local authorities saying a third American is missing and presumed dead.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City said it has sent U.S. consular officials to the hotel and that other authorities are on the scene.
U.S. State Department Spokesman John Kirby said the deceased will be identified when their next of kin have been notified.
“The State Department’s condolences go out to the families of the individuals who have died in this tragic incident,” Kirby said.
Kirby said the American victims were two young entrepreneurs who were found dead at the hotel around 3 a.m. local time (6 p.m. ET) on Tuesday.
The cause of death of Robert Rocha, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen of Mexican descent, has not been determined, authorities said.
The Mexican government said in a statement that it is working with the U.S. and other authorities, and urged people not to travel to Mexico City.
“The authorities have determined the three deaths are not homicides,” it said.
President Enrique Pena Nieto denounced the deaths, and ordered the National Council for Criminal Matters to carry out a “thorough and transparent” investigation into the incident.
He also issued a decree suspending the entry of foreign nationals into Mexico until further notice.
At least six people, including two police officers and an employee of the hotel, were taken in for questioning in connection with the deaths.
The hotel in Mexico City sits near the airport, but most of Mexico City’s high-rise buildings surround the historic center, which is built around a colonial plaza.
The hotel, which has five floors with an “all-inclusive” rate, has been targeted by tourists and business travelers for its high-end facilities.
The hotel was originally planned to host a conference this week for U.S. business leaders.
The company behind the conference is the property’s owner, the Intercontinental Hotels Group Inc., which owns more than 200 other hotels.
Intercontinental Hotels Group also owns the Sheraton Universal City hotel, where two Americans