8 dead in weekend shooting in Mexico, authorities say

Morelos:

Eight people died in a weekend shooting in the Mexican state of Morelos, bordering Mexico City, authorities reported Sunday.

The attack occurred on Saturday in the municipality of Huitzilac, on a highway connecting the capital with the tourist town of Cuernavaca.

Four people died at the scene and four others died after being taken to hospital, Morelos prosecutors said.

Morelos is a popular vacation destination for Mexico City residents, although it borders the restive state of Guerrero, where various drug cartels operate.

In November last year, an armed clash between police and suspected criminals in Cuernavaca left nine people dead.

According to official figures, around 450,000 people have been murdered across the country since 2006, when the government launched a controversial anti-drug offensive involving the military.

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