Migrant death toll rises to 50 in abandoned truck in Texas

U.S. authorities have counted 50 migrants dead inside an abandoned tractor-trailer truck on the southwest side of San Antonio, Texas, while 12 others are in nearby hospitals, local media reported. 

The truck was found near a railroad track in southwest San Antonio, about 250 km from the U.S.-Mexico border. Several emergency crews, including firefighters, police, and ambulances, arrived at the scene after receiving a call on Monday afternoon.

San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said the people died of exhaustion and overheating inside the truck, which had no air conditioning. The victims were "hot to the touch," he added.

"There are about 46 migrants dead in San Antonio," tweeted Archbishop Gustavo Garcia, of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. "Our prayers lifted up to you, O Lord, for their souls. Lord, have mercy on them. Lord, first Uvalde and now this, help us! We need you! So many people suffering. God, God, God."

There are about 46 migrants dead in San Antonio. Our prayers raised up to you O Lord for their souls. 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.

— Archbishop Gustavo (@ABishopGustavo) June 28, 2022

The nationality of most of the victims is unknown at this time. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard confirmed on his Twitter that there are at least two Guatemalans in the hospital.

Reporte de nuestro Cónsul : 46 fallecidos por asfixia, 16 trasladados a hospitales,entre ellos 4 menores de edad. En este último grupo se ha identificado a dos guatemaltecos. El trailer tiene placas de EU, superpuestas,para circular sin revisión.Muy probable autoría de tratantes.

— Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) June 28, 2022

"The trailer has U.S. license plates superimposed to circulate without inspection. Very likely perpetrated by traffickers," Ebrard added.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said at a press conference that three people are in custody.

The incident is currently under federal investigation led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

"Human traffickers are callous people who have no regard for the vulnerable people they exploit and endanger for profit," U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said on Twitter.