MEXICO CITY: Mexican soldiers killed six migrants when they opened fire on a group of 33 migrants traveling in a pick-up truck that had tried to evade a military patrol, the defense ministry announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Another 10 migrants were injured in the incident on Tuesday evening, the ministry added, from the group which included Egyptian, Nepalese, Cuban, Indian and Pakistani nationals.

The ministry said in a statement the incident took place just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday while the patrol traveled on a highway near the town of Huixtla, some 40 km (25 miles) from Tapachula, by the Guatemalan border.

The pick-up truck was followed by two vehicles similar to those used by criminal groups in the area, it said, and soldiers reported hearing explosions after which two officers opened fire.

In its statement, the defense ministry said the two soldiers were removed from their posts and reported to the federal prosecutors for corresponding legal actions, while a military tribunal carries out its own investigation.

It said it reaffirmed “its commitment to act in strict accordance with the rule of law, under a policy of zero-impunity, and is ready to help the civil authorities to shed light on the facts,” the statement said.

The ministry added that it was coordinating with the foreign ministry to coordinate with the corresponding embassies.

Tapachula, in southern Chiapas state, is an entry point into Mexico for many migrants making the arduous journey toward the United States, many fleeing violence and poverty.

Chiapas has also seen clashes this year between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and Sinaloa Cartel. In July, the turf wars sent some 600 people fleeing across the border into Guatemala.