Mexico is experiencing its highest murder total in at least two decades

At least 14 people were killed in a gunbattle between armed groups in northern Mexico, authorities said.

Felix Gonzalez, a spokesman for Chihuahua state prosecutors, told local media that officials received initial reports of 26 dead in the shooting between members of the La Linea gang and a faction of the Sinaloa cartel.

But he later told Milenio television that authorities had recovered 14 bodies and that the higher toll had mistakenly included some wounded.

He said it was still possible the death toll could climb if some died of their injuries or if additional bodies were located.

Another state prosecutors' spokesman, Eduardo Esparza, also confirmed 14 bodies had been immediately recovered, but added that "there could be more".

Mexican drug cartels have been known to carry off their dead after clashes.

Mr Gonzalez said the gunfight occurred early on Wednesday morning in the town of Las Varas, about 185 miles north west of the state capital. He said investigators were still at the remote site in a mountainous region known for marijuana and opium poppy production.

Mr Esparza said police and soldiers came under fire when they arrived at the scene and three suspected gunmen were detained. All the dead were adult males, and 20 rifles were found at the scene, he said.

Mr Esparza said gunmen from the two groups were apparently responsible for the killing of two state police officers about 10 days earlier.

Mexico is experiencing its highest homicide total in at least 20 years as splintered drug cartels battle over territory.

AP

PA Media