Local authorities in Mexico uncovered 45 trash bags containing human remains during a search operation for seven missing call center workers.
According to a statement recently released by the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office, the gruesome discovery was made below a forest overlook on the outskirts of Guadalajara.
To aid in the recovery efforts, firefighters and civil defense personnel utilized a helicopter to airlift some of the remains from the 140-foot-deep Mirador del Bosque gorge. The operation is set to continue in the upcoming days.
The horrific finding came about when Mexican authorities, acting on a tip, began their search for the seven young individuals who had been reported missing from a call center in the town of Zapopan.
However, due to the challenging terrain and limited natural light, the search was delayed. While the exact number of bodies remains unknown, both men and women are among the recovered remains.
Preliminary assessments suggest that some of the remains might match the characteristics of the missing individuals, and their families have been notified accordingly. The Jalisco Forensic Medical Service has been entrusted with the task of determining the precise number of victims, establishing the causes of death, and carrying out identifications.
This gruesome incident sheds light on the alarming issue of missing persons in Mexico. With over 110,000 individuals currently missing nationwide, Jalisco stands out as the state with the highest number, reaching 15,000, as per data from the federal government. This region has become a battleground for rival drug cartels, exacerbating the ongoing crisis.
As investigations progress and forensic examinations take place, authorities hope to bring closure to the families affected by this horrifying discovery and to combat the broader issue of missing persons in the country. The findings also increase concerns related to cartel crimes in Mexico as violent action continues to be documented throughout the nation as part of the larger border crisis at the southern border.
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