17 bodies found in a ravine in Mexico

 Authorities have pulled 17 bodies from a ravine in southern Mexico after they were reportedly discovered by a man who traveled from the United States in search of a missing relative.

"There were nine complete bodies and eight half-burned" in the 500-meter-deep (1,650-foot) canyon in the violent state of Guerrero, an official from the attorney general's office told AFP on condition of anonymity on Tuesday.

The bodies were discovered between December 8 and 11 in the village of Chichihualco, whose population is known for its production of handmade footballs.

The identities of the victims, and even their gender, are unknown. Officials also do not know how long ago they died.

Across the region, clandestine graves are often found with one or several bodies inside, but this was a particularly grisly find.(s: excerpt from Allan Garcia report)