What you need to know about the attacks in Honduras

• At least two dozen people were killed in two separate, coordinated attacks
• Authorities say the violence is linked to gangs and control of drug trafficking routes
• The attacks come despite Congress passing anti-violence measures and security reforms this week

Two separate armed attacks in Honduras killed at least 24 people on Thursday, according to police.

The first incident took place at a ranch in the municipality of Trujillo, leaving at least 19 workers dead.

"Two teams are working in two places. The first team has already identified 13 fallen individuals, and the second has counted six people who also lost their lives," Yuri Mora, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, said on local television.

The death toll could rise, as forensic experts continue to work in the area.

Northern Honduras has long been affected by agrarian conflict. Authorities said rival gangs were fighting for control of palm plantations and drug trafficking routes. 

Second attack killed police officers

In a separate incident, gunmen opened fire on police officers in the municipality of Omoa, in the Cortes department near the Guatemalan border.

At least four police officers and one civilian were killed, according to the police.

The officers had travelled from the capital, Tegucigalpa, to Omoa as part of an anti-gang operation. 

Following the incidents, the National Police said in a statement that it will "proceed immediately with a direct intervention in the affected areas."

Both attacks came in the same week Honduras' Congress approved a package of reforms aimed at curbing the country's violence.

The Central American country continues to have one of the highest homicide rates in the region, with more than 24 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Edited by: Rana Taha

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