Washington [US], June 28 (ANI/Xinhua): At least 46 people were found dead inside a tractor-trailer on Monday (local time) in San Antonio, Texas. Citing a source close to the investigation, San Antonio’s WOAI TV said the dead were believed to be migrants and the truck was found next to railroad tracks in the city’s Southwest Side neighborhood, reported Sky News.
Sixteen people — 12 adults and four children — have been taken to nearby medical facilities for further care, according to San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood, reported CNN. Mayor Ron Nirenberg called the incident a “horrific human tragedy.”
The truck was found next to railroad tracks in a remote area on the city’s southern outskirts, according to the reports. Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the tragic incident in a Twitter post that at least 46 people were found dead inside the truck, adding, “These deaths are on Biden. They are the result of his deadly open border policies.”
Citing unidentified San Antonio police sources, KSAT television added that 16 survivors had been taken to various local hospitals. So far there has been no official comment from the San Antonio police. There has been no indication as to what may have caused the deaths, but temperatures in San Antonio, which is about 160 miles (250 km) from the Mexican border, hit a high of 103F (39.4C) on Monday with high humidity, reported Sky News.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Mexico said that a consul is on its way to the neighborhood, adding that the nationalities of the deceased are unknown. “Tragedy in Texas. Reportedly suffocated in trailer box,” he wrote on Twitter.
San Antonio Police haven’t confirmed anything officially but told Sky News that a news conference will be held. Archbishop Gustavo, a Catholic priest in San Antonio lamented the tragedy so soon after the Uvalde shooting, writing on Twitter, “Lord have mercy on them. They hoped for a better life. Lord after Uvalde and now this, help us! We need you! So many people suffering. God, God, God.”
Those who were found alive were hot to the touch and suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion, Hood said. High temperatures in the San Antonio area ranged from the high 90s to low 100s on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Three of the migrants found were taken to Methodist Hospital Metropolitan and are in stable condition, according to a spokesperson for Methodist Healthcare.
Earlier on Monday night, city councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia referred to the victims as migrants, after she was briefed on the situation by the San Antonio police chief.
Authorities were alerted to the scene just before 6 pm. local time, when a worker in a nearby building heard a cry for help, according to San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus. The worker found a trailer with doors partially opened and saw a number of people deceased inside, McManus said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the tragic incident in a Twitter post that at least 42 people were found dead inside the truck, adding, “These deaths are on Biden. They are the result of his deadly open border policies.”
There has been no indication as to what may have caused the deaths, but temperatures in San Antonio, which is about 160 miles (250 km) from the Mexican border, hit a high of 103F (39.4C) on Monday with high humidity, reported Sky News.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Mexico said that a consul is on its way to the neighborhood, adding that the nationalities of the deceased are unknown. “Tragedy in Texas. Reportedly suffocated in trailer box,” he wrote on Twitter.
Archbishop Gustavo, a Catholic priest in San Antonio lamented the tragedy so soon after the Uvalde shooting, writing on Twitter, “Lord have mercy on them. They hoped for a better life. Lord after Uvalde and now this, help us! We need you! So many people suffering. God, God, God.”
US: Death toll of migrants found inside sweltering tractor-trailer in Texas rises to 51
Washington [US], June 29 (ANI): The death toll of migrants inside a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas, has risen to 51, while others have been found in sweltering conditions, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said.
Upon the incident, US President Joe Biden expressed grief and described Texas migrant deaths as horrifying and added the authorities are still learning all the facts about what happened.
The tragic loss of life in San Antonio, Texas that took place yesterday is horrifying and heartbreaking. Our prayers are with those who lost their lives, their loved ones, as well as those still fighting for their lives. As always, I am grateful for the swift work of all of the Federal, state, and local first responders,” Biden quoted the White House as saying.
“While we are still learning all the facts about what happened and the Department of Homeland Security has the lead for the investigation, initial reports are that this tragedy was caused by smugglers or human traffickers who have no regard for the lives they endanger and exploit to make a profit,” he added.
According to the US President, this incident underscores the need to go after the multi-billion dollar criminal smuggling industry preying on migrants and leading to far too many innocent deaths.
Earlier in the Monday briefing, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said that three people are in police custody, but it’s unclear if they are involved in the tragedy.
Police received a call on Monday evening from a person working nearby, who heard a cry for help from the 18-wheeler in the southwest of the city, approached and saw bodies inside the trailer with its doors partially open, said McManus.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is leading an investigation on an alert by San Antonio police to “an alleged human smuggling event,” a spokesperson from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Monday.
“There are, that we know of, 46 individuals who are no longer with us, who had families, who were likely trying to find a better life. And we have 16 folks who are fighting for their lives in the hospital,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg told the briefing.
“Migrants seeking asylum should always be treated as a humanitarian crisis, but this evening we’re facing a horrific human tragedy,” he tweeted earlier.
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, on Monday night, slammed Biden for the tragedy, tweeting: “These deaths are on Biden. They are a result of his deadly open border policies.” (ANI)
