Mexico City police chief, prosecutor quit

MEXICO CITY, July 8 (UPI) -- Mexico City's police chief and top prosecutor resigned Tuesday amid fallout from a police raid on a club that triggered a stampede that left 12 people dead.

Joel Ortega's resignation comes amid efforts by officials in the Mexican capital to revamp the city's police force, El Universal reported online.

Prosecutor Rodolfo Felix also resigned Tuesday after the city Human Rights Commission said in its findings that police "created a trap that cost the lives ... of girls, boys and adolescents who were only trying to enjoy themselves," the Los Angeles Times reported.

"The tragedy was absolutely avoidable," the report concluded.

Last month in a crackdown on underage drinking, police officers raided the News Devine nightclub, ordering about 500 patrons to leave. Soon after, with hundreds of people -- both patrons and police -- inside, officers outside blocked the exit. In the ensuing panic, nine young people and three police officers were crushed or suffocated.

The person who oversaw the June 20 raid, Precinct Cmdr. Guillermo Zayas, was later charged with 12 counts of homicide, and 17 other officers were fired.