Mexico shootout leaves 18 dead in Tamaulipas state

Gunbattles between rival gangs in a north-eastern Mexican town have left 18 people dead, police say.

The Tamaulipas state government said shooting erupted in the town of Abasolo but gave few details.

Gunmen in trucks and other vehicles had exchanged fire around the town, reports said.

Tamaulipas has been at the centre of a turf war between the Gulf and Los Zetas cartels, which are battling to control lucrative drug smuggling routes.

Mexican media say Abasolo has lacked a state police command post for several months.

Reports said Tamaulipas residents exchanged Twitter messages about Monday's shootings hours before the bloodshed was confirmed by the state government. Some tweets warned people to stay indoors.