Two actors that were working on the upcoming Netflix series The Chosen One have died in Mexico.
In a statement to The Independent, Netflix confirmed the tragic news, adding that the two actors died after the van they were traveling in crashed near Mulegé on the Baja California Sur peninsula on June 16.
Officials for the streaming giant added that the crash happened while the actors were in transit to the local airport, and not on the set of the show.
"We’re sad to confirm that two cast members have passed away after a tragic accident in transit from Santa Rosalía to the local airport. Our thoughts are with them and their family at this time," Netflix officials said in the statement.
Six others - said to all be cast and crew of the upcoming series - were injured in the crash.
Redrum, the independent production company behind the show, has confirmed that production has been temporarily paused, per USA Today.
The Hollywood Reporter has named the two late actors as Raymundo Garduño Cruz and Juan Francisco González. The other six cast and crew members have not been named, but are reported to be in a stable condition.
The outlet adds that the crew had been working in the nearby city of Santa Rosalia. On their way to the airport, their van reportedly flipped after going off-road.
Netflix has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Additionally, per The Independent, The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has also released a statement on the incident.
SAG-AFTRA says it has "been in contact with Netflix and with the Mexican actors union ANDA about this incident and we are investigating the circumstances with local production.
"On-set safety is always our top priority. We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that our members and others are safe in their workplace."
A Netflix synopsis for The Chosen One reads: "A 12-year-old boy learns he’s the returned Jesus Christ, destined to save humankind. Based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and Peter Gross."
The series is based on a comic book created by Peter Gross and Mark Millar.
(There is another show available on Netflix also called The Chosen One, but it is unrelated to the show the crew was working on in Mexico. Rather, that show features three doctors determined to bring a Zika vaccine to the remote Pantanal in South America.)
Our thoughts at this time are with anyone affected by this heartbreaking incident...
