Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Lee Bullen,  Agency: Asia Wire Report

Five teenagers who left home to fly their kites have been found shot and stabbed in a sugarcane field in Colombia.

The bodies of the boys as young as 14 were discovered in a field near Llano Verde in the city of Cali in the western Colombian department of Valle del Cauca.

Cali Mayor Jorge Ivan Ospina said that the five “friends” were found at around 8.50 pm on 11th August. He said the oldest of the five was 18, and the youngest just 14.

News site ‘RT en Espanol’ said that four victims were found in a sugarcane field and the fifth was discovered near a school in the area.

They all had gunshot and stab wounds.

According to the authorities, the victims’ families said they had left their homes to fly kites.

Cali Security Secretary Carlos Alberto Rojas said on Twitter that the crime had been carried out in a “vile and ruthless manner”.

The mayor said: “It is a very painful incident that saddens our city.”

The authorities also announced that they are offering a reward for information leading to the perpetrators’ arrests, although they have yet to disclose an amount.

Ospina said: “In addition, we will hold a meeting with the community to establish actions that will prevent such an incident taking place again.”

Cali Metropolitan Police spokesperson Manuel Vasquez said: “We will be firm and forceful, as we have always been against organisations dedicated to crime, in particular those dedicated to acts of murder.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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