2 Mexican soldiers killed, 6 missing after mudslide

MEXICO CITY – Two Mexican soldiers have died and six more are missing in a mudslide in the southern state of Guerrero.

Mexican Defence Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos says an avalanche of mud, rocks and branches swept over nine soldiers Saturday in the community of El Carrizal, part of the San Miguel Totolapan township.

Cienfuegos said through Twitter Sunday that the military is looking for the missing soldiers and expressed his condolences to the families of the two who died.

Mexico maintains a large military presence in the area known as the “Hot Lands” where several organized crime groups operate and opium poppy is grown.