Google Translate from a variety of Mexican web sources. For a map, click here.
The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) announced that a Mexican Marine detachment found a grave site Tuesday night containing 72 dead at a ranch near the town of San Fernando, Tamaulipas, according to Mexican press accounts.
Reports say the marine detachment found the ranch after being informed by an unidentified escaped victim, an Ecuadoran national, who found the marine unit on patrol nearby.
An aircraft was sent to scout the area, but was apparently fired on with heavy weapons. The Mexican Navy then sent in two helicopters to the ranch. When the marines arrived at the location a number of armed suspects engaged the marines in a firefight. One marine and three armed suspects died in the battle.
The 72 victim are all illegal immigrants from various Central and South American countries. They were told by an armed group to give more money, and when the group refused, they were shot. The dead include 14 women and four Brazilians. The victims were apparently kidnapped while trying to reach the US border.
Reports are that elements of the the criminal gang Los Zetas were the shooters in the massacre.
Marines seized a number of munitions following the battle including six M-4 5.56mm carbines, three AK-47 rifles assault rifles, seven 12 gauge shotguns, five .22 caliber rifles, 101 magazines for various weapons, two belts of ammunition, 6,646 weapons cartridges, four bulletproof vests and a helmet.
Marines also seized four trucks including one with Mexican Army (SEDENA) markings.