International groups offer to help identify 19 migrants who were found shot, burned in Mexico

International groups have offered Mexico their aid in identifying the bodies of 19 migrants believed to be from Guatemala who were burned alive and shot last week.

The Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told Reuters they have offered their help to both Guatemalan and Mexican officials to work in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. 

“The ICRC is holding confidential dialogue with (Tamaulipas) authorities to see if technical support … neutral, impartial and independent, is appropriate,” the ICRC said. “(The officials) have the obligation to guarantee full identification (of victims) transparently and quickly.” 

Both groups have provided similar assistance to identify bodies in the past.

Authorities investigating the deaths have already collected DNA samples from the suspected victims’ relatives.