Photo: Courtesy of Baja California Institute of Culture
Netflixis speaking out following the deaths of two actors on location in Mexico.
On Monday, the streamer shared condolences for Raymundo Garduño Cruz and Juan Francisco González Aguilar, who were killed aftera production van crashedlast Thursday near Mulegé, Mexico on the Baja California Sur peninsula.
Producer Redrum Productions echoed similar sentiments in a statement shared with PEOPLE following the tragedy.
The statement added that the production company “has been cooperating with local authorities and initial reports and accounts from witnesses indicate that all safety protocols were in place and this was an unfortunate accident.”
Last week, the Baja California Institute of Culture (ICBC)confirmed to PEOPLEthat Cruz and Aguilar (known professionally as Paco Mufote) died in the accident, which also resulted in six other injuries among the cast and crew.
The accident occurred as the production traveled from Santa Rosalía to a local airport; the two actors and four crew members who were additionally injured remained in stable condition as of Saturday. Redrum has since paused production on the series while local authorities conduct an investigation into the deadly accident.
Local media reported that the van ran off the road in a desert area before flipping, according to theAssociated Press.
An anonymous transport driver familiar with the area toldVarietythat the crash happened in “the most dangerous stretch of road between Loreto and Mulege, full of curves and potholes.”
“A lot of accidents happen there,” the source added.
Liliana Conlisk Gallegos, a friend of Mufote, toldThe Daily Beastthat the late actor complained about poor transportation and logistics, claiming the crew may have been exploited to save money.
“Paco touched the hearts of everyone he ever met, he was a great actor with a strong trajectory,” Gallegos said. “He loved acting and playing music more than anything in the world and he dedicated himself to it, many times suffering economic hardship. He sacrificed for his love of acting.”
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Gallegos additionally told The Daily Beast that she feels the incident should be further investigated due to rumors of “abuse and exploitation” spreading after Mufote and Cruz’s deaths.
“Ray was an actor, director, and cultural manager who made Tijuana his home. He was a festive and generous friend,” Bonilla wrote, adding: “Many film and television productions have drivers overexploited, causing these f—ing tragedies. I just found out and I can’t believe it. I have a crushed heart.”
The show reportedlybegan filming in Mexicoback in April.
A wake for Mufote and Cruz was held on Sunday in Tijuana, Mexico, where both actors are from, according toVariety.
source: people.com
