The families of 43 students who have been missing since September in Iguala, Mexico, took over the airport in Acapulco City for more than three hours.

Three flights were cancelled as a result of the protests that were initially supposed to be peaceful but turned violent later.

The masked protestors took over the airport, demanding more action in the search for the students from young men’s teacher-training college in the southern state of Guerrero.

IANS reported that the 43 students, who were mostly aged between 18-21, were earlier detained by police and later handed over to the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel, which allegedly killed them and burned the bodies to eliminate all traces of the victims.

"With 43 people missing, nothing will happen by having to wait an hour at the airport."

Attorney general Jesus Murillo Karam informed in a press conference that Patricio Reyes, Jhonatan Osorio and Agustin Garcia had confessed to having killed the students and burned their bodies.

However, the missing students’ families have refused to accept that the remains that were found in bags in a river near the site of disappearance belong to their children. The students haven’t yet been declared dead officially.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Felipe de la Cruz, father of one of the missing students and a spokesperson for the protesters said: "We will shut down the airport for three hours. We intend to do so peacefully and in order. It will be symbolic.

"Flights are getting in, but won’t depart in the next three hours. With 43 people missing, nothing will happen by having to wait an hour at the airport."

A total of 70 people have been arrested in connection with the disappearances, including the mayor of Iguala, Jose Luis Abarca, and his wife, Maria de los Angeles Pineda.

According to Murillo, the mayor and his wife gave the order to annihilate the students.