• Authorities find half of abducted workers dead a month after incident
• Investigations continue to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure justice

Mexican authorities have confirmed the deaths of five out of ten employees who were kidnapped last month from a Canadian-operated mine in Sinaloa.

The Attorney General’s Office reported that authorities discovered five bodies on a property known as "El Verde" and are working to identify the remains of five others.

In a statement, the office said, “Judicial authorities have remained in continuous contact with the victims’ families,” noting that the identified bodies will be transferred to the states of Zacatecas (two cases), Chihuahua, Sonora, and Guerrero.

Authorities, who arrested four suspects last week in connection with the case, said they will continue gathering evidence to ensure accountability for the crimes, without revealing a possible motive.

The mine operator, Vizsla Silver, which runs the Panuco gold and silver mine near Mazatlan, said it had been informed by some families of the deaths of their loved ones.

Michael Konnert, the company’s CEO, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, affirming full support for families and employees during this difficult time, and emphasized continuing efforts to locate the missing.

The company had previously announced on January 28 the abduction of ten of its employees and immediately notified authorities.

Sinaloa has been experiencing escalating gang violence linked to rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, founded by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, both of whom are in U.S. custody.

The state recorded more than 1,680 homicides in 2025, making it the bloodiest year in over a decade, according to a Mexican newspaper tally.