Mexico Families Worry After 60 Bodies Found in Crematorium

Mexican officials have been approached by more than 100 people who fear their relatives are among 60 bodies found rotting in an abandoned crematorium in Acapulco, authorities said Monday.

After neighbors complained of a foul smell, police on Thursday discovered the bodies of men, women and children that were abandoned at the "Cremations of the Pacific" funeral parlor, which closed a year ago.

"For now, 107 people have voluntarily appeared" before the Guerrero state prosecutor's office to check if their relatives are among the 60, chief prosecutor Miguel Angel Godinez told MVS Radio.

Clients of the crematorium "thought the remains of their relatives would be cremated," but it is probable that they received "another sort of ashes" mixed with sand, he said.

The bodies can still provide DNA samples to match them with relatives despite their state of decay, Godinez said, adding that officials have yet to take the genetic profiles of relatives.

Authorities have asked Interpol to help locate the crematorium's owner, Guillermo Estua Zadai. Prosecutors are investigating fraud claims.