Eight Mexican soldiers killed by improvised explosive device

Eight Mexican soldiers have died after triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) in the state of Michoacán, underlining the rising use of mines by organised crime factions.

The soldiers were on patrol in an armoured vehicle in the municipality of Los Reyes, near the border with the state of Jalisco, when the mine detonated on Wednesday. Six soldiers were killed instantly, while two more later died from their wounds, according to El Universal.

Jalisco’s state attorney general has taken charge of the investigation, while a special military taskforce searches the area for more explosive devices.

Shortly before the explosion, the army had reported finding and destroying 621 IEDs in Michoacán during operations so far.

The border region between Michoacán and Jalisco is the site of a violent struggle between Mexico’s most powerful criminal group, the Jalisco New Generation cartel, and local groups that are resisting its incursion into their territory.

Read more: The Guardian