Officials Recover Remains of Over 600 Bodies Near City of Torreon RT.com
go to original October 10, 2016

Remains of more than 600 bodies were unearthed from what may become Mexico’s largest mass grave found to date, according to local media. It was discovered near Torreon, one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

The gruesome find was made in a 16-hectare paddock in San Pedro, near the city of Torreon, according to Notimundo news outlet, citing Grupo VIDA, an NGO representing the relatives of missing persons.

The bones, teeth, clothing, and footwear of more than 600 victims were found lying in the site, which appears to be a crime scene, the group said.

The NGO’s representative, Silvia Ortiz, said the remains have been handed over to the authorities for further identification. Members of the Attorney-General’s office of Mexico and its forensics unit were involved in gathering the remains, as was the National Human Rights Commission.

Ranches surrounding the San Pedro municipality have become notorious in recent years as mass killing sites used by criminal gangs active in the area. According to official data, roughly 2,000 people have gone missing as a result of protracted violence between drug cartels, EFE news agency reports.

In January of 2015, the city of Torreon was listed by Mexico’s Citizens’ Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice as one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

Although the bodies are yet to be examined, the mass grave in San Pedro is likely to become Mexico’s largest related to drug violence.

Read the rest at RT.com

Related: Mexico Rights Body Raps Officials Over Handling of 119 Bodies Buried in Common Graves (Agence France-Presse)

Related: Thousands of Bone Fragments Found in Northern Mexico (Agence France-Presse)

Photo: Margarito Perez Retana/Reuters

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