Six migrants from Egypt, Peru, and Honduras were gunned down by Mexican army troops near the border with Guatemala on Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
Mexico’s Defense Department said that the shooting occurred on Tuesday near the city of Tapachula.
Mexican soldiers reported hearing gunshots as a convoy of three trucks passed their position ignoring commands to stop.
As the soldiers tried to pursue the convoy, they came under fire from the occupants of the convoy and they returned fire striking dozens of migrants.
One of the trucks stopped and the driver took off leaving 33 migrants aboard.
Three migrants from Egypt, one from Peru and another from Honduras died from gunshot wounds. A sixth victim has yet to be identified.
Authorities said at least 10 migrants were wounded; President Sheinbaum said two involved soldiers were turned over to prosecutors for questioning.
