Luis alfredo garavito victims

A man arrested in Colombia has admitted killing 140 children over a five-year period, the authorities say.

Luis Alfredo Garavito is said to have lured children to their deaths by offering them food and drink.

Luis alfredo garavito victims photos

Colombia's chief prosecutor said most of Mr Garavito's victims were boys from poor families aged between eight and 16.

Alfonso Gomez Mendez said: "Luis Alfredo Garavito has admitted the murder of about 140 children.

"We have so far found 114 skeletons and we're still investigating the disappearance of other children."

He said the killer had struck across Colombia and that the authorities were now co-operating with police in neighbouring Ecuador, where Mr Garavito lived previously.

BBC South America correspondent James Reynolds said that Colombians, who are used to violence, have been shocked by the Garavito case.

If convicted, Mr Garavito will become Colombia's worst serial killer.

El Loco

Colombian police were first alerted to a possible serial killer in 199