MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican authorities announced on Monday that five of the ten workers who went missing from a mine operated by a Canadian firm in the northwestern state of Sinaloa have been identified among ten bodies discovered in clandestine graves last week in a nearby community. The Attorney General's Office reported that the remaining bodies are still pending identification.
Vancouver-based Vizsla Silver Corp. released a statement earlier on Monday, indicating that it had received notifications from several families regarding the tragic news of their relatives, who were abducted from the company's project site in Concordia, Sinaloa. The company is still waiting for official confirmation from Mexican authorities on the identities of the deceased. Neither Vizsla Silver nor the Mexican authorities have disclosed any details regarding the potential motive behind the abductions.
Michael Konnert, President and CEO of Vizsla, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, stating, "We are devastated by this outcome and the tragic loss of life. Our focus remains on the safe recovery of those who remain missing and on supporting all affected families and our people during this incredibly difficult time."
On Friday, Mexican authorities confirmed the discovery of bodies in the ongoing search for the ten missing workers. Additionally, the Attorney General's Office announced the arrest of four individuals believed to be connected to the disappearances. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the suspects had provided authorities with information that led to the location of the bodies, adding, "Everything is under investigation."
The mountainous region of Sinaloa has been a battleground for more than a year, witnessing violent turf wars between rival factions of the infamous Sinaloa cartel. On January 28, Vizsla Silver reported the abduction of ten employees from its mining facilities, subsequently alerting authorities and deploying crisis management and security response teams to assist in the search for the workers.
In response to the situation, the federal government has increased the military presence in the state and initiated operations focused on locating the missing individuals. The mines in Mexico have previously been targeted by organized crime groups, with cartels looking to exploit opportunities for extortion or even to illegally sell valuable ore.
On Monday, Governor of Sinaloa, Ruben Rocha, mentioned that several clandestine graves were discovered last week, but authorities continued their search for additional missing individuals. He also commented on the recent abduction of a group of Mexican tourists from Mazatlan, revealing that while one woman and child from the group were found alive, four people remain unaccounted for.
According to federal data, Sinaloa is home to over 7,000 missing persons, contributing to a nationwide total of more than 132,000 missing individuals in Mexico. The ongoing crisis highlights the severe impact of organized crime and violence in the region, affecting countless families and communities.
