Three bodies were found on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, Mexican authorities announced on Friday. The bodies were found near the place where three foreign tourists – two Australians and an American – went missing last weekend. The local prosecutor's office did not say whether these were the bodies of the missing persons.
“Three bodies were found south of the city of Ensenada and were recovered during a specialized operation because they were located in an area that was difficult to access,” the prosecutor's office of the Mexican state of Baja California said in a statement.
It was not stated whether these were the bodies of missing foreigners, but it was noted that they were found during the search for the missing men.
An examination and autopsy will allow them to be identified and the cause of death determined, the prosecutor's office said.
Three bodies were found south of the city of Ensenada, MexicoGUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP/East News
Three foreigners missing in Mexico
Three men in their 30s – two Australian brothers and an American – were vacationing near the popular tourist town of Ensenada in northwestern Mexico. They went missing a week ago.
In connection with their disappearance, Mexican police have detained and are currently interrogating three people.
Baja California is one of the most violent states in Mexico, mainly due to the high activity of drug cartels, although the city of Ensenada itself is considered relatively safe.
A spokesman for the US Department of State, asked about the disappearances and discovery of bodies, said: – We are aware of these reports and are closely monitoring the situation.
Australia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Australian embassy in Mexico was working closely with that country's authorities and the Australian Federal Police.
In 2015, two Australian surfers were murdered in the Mexican state of Sinaloa.
Main photo source: GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP/East News