The incident that killed an American-Canadian baby placed on a luggage conveyor belt at the Alicante airport in southeast Spain was all due to the mother's fault, Spanish authorities said on Thursday.

In September 2013, Nathania Terry, the American mother, along with a 5-month old child Vashti Terry and an older son, had just touched down at the airport from London Gatwick. They went to the baggage claim area after disembarking the plane shortly before midnight.

While waiting for their luggage, it was believed Ms Terry placed little Vashti who was strapped to the baby carrier on the conveyor belt which was stationary at that time. The mother and older son didn't notice the machine started moving. In a flash, Vashti was carried off to the entrance of the bag drop and became trapped in the machine.

Little Vashti was crushed to death.

The accident was "not attributable to the installation of the conveyor belt," the Spanish government said in a statement. The government purposely addressed the matter following an opposition politician's query of what the state has done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

"According to the information available, it was due to neglect of those who were in charge of the child," the government said, noting the incident was "totally random."

It was believed the weight of the baby carrier activated the machine, which is particularly reserved for the collection of larger suitcases, strollers and musical instruments.

Dying from head injuries, the government said that "the gap between the two motorized parties where the baby became trapped complies with UNE-EN 619 safety in conveyor systems."