MEXICO CITY — Killings related to drug violence in Mexico totaled 1,145 in September, the most deadly month this year after August, the Milenio newspaper reported today on its website.

Last month’s toll pushed the number of killings since President Felipe Calderon started his offensive on organized crime and drug gangs in December 2006 to 56,561, according to the Mexico City-based daily. August saw 1,341 deaths, Milenio said.

During the first nine months of this year, 9,597 people were killed in incidents related to drug violence, Milenio reported.