Excavation begins at Chile grave site

Excavation has begun at a suspected mass grave in Chile, where the remains of six political prisoners who disappeared during military rule are said to be buried.

Workers have been clearing the ground of shrubs and weeds to allow forensic experts to begin a more detailed examination.

The excavation is being overseen by a judge, Hector Carreno.

He and another judge, Amanda Valdovinos, have been appointed by the Supreme Court to examine information from the armed forces concerning twenty-six people. The military's report, handed over to the government last week, detailed the fate of around a hundred-and-eighty prisoners, but left questions over hundreds of others unanswered.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service