59 corpses removed from flooded cemetery

San Juan - Authorities in Puerto Rico have removed at least 59 corpses from a flooded cemetery in the central mountain town of Lares as heavy rains continue to pelt the US territory.

Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said on Saturday that ongoing downpours have exposed caskets and caused small landslides in the area. He signed an executive order to activate the National Guard to help with the situation.

Emergency management director Miguel Rios said authorities plan to remove another 50 corpses by the end of the day. He said new burial spots will be found for the more than 100 corpses.

Garcia said the Institute of Forensic Science has sent a refrigerated truck to Lares to help prevent the bodies from decomposing further.