More than 40 migrants found dead inside truck
Three people have been taken into custody after more than 40 bodies of migrants have been found dead in a truck in Texas.
Authorities are currently at the scene in San Antonio’s south-west where a truck was found with at least 46 people dead inside, Fire Chief, Charles Hood, confirmed.
Sixteen people who were found alive, including 12 adults and four children, have been rushed to hospital.
The survivors were all suffering heat-related injuries, Chief Hood added.
The truck was found next to railway tracks in a remote area of San Antonio.
San Antonio Police Chief, William McManus said a worker nearby heard a cry for help around 5pm Texas time and went to investigate.
“(They) found a trailer with the doors partially open and opened them up to take a look and found a number of deceased individuals inside,” McManus said.
Hood said a body was found outside the truck and the remainder were found inside the trailer.
McManus said three people have been taken into custody however it is not clear whether they are “absolutely connected or not”.
He added it is now a federal investigation.
McManus confirmed this is one of the deadliest human smuggling incidents in the city’s history.
It is not clear how the people died but towns across Texas have experienced a heatwave throughout June with temperatures rising above 39 degrees.
San Antonio Mayor, Ron Nirenberg, called it a “horrific human tragedy”.
“We hope those who are responsible for putting these people in such inhumane conditions are prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said.
Mexican Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard posted on social media confirming the consul was en route to the scene, but the nationalities of the victims were still unknown.
“Tragedy in Texas. They reportedly suffocated inside a trailer,” Ebrard said.
“Consul en route to the site. Condolences to the victims and their families.”
The Texan Governor, Greg Abbott took to blaming US President Joe Biden for the deaths.
“These deaths are on Biden. They are a result of his deadly open border policies,” Abbott wrote.
“They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law.”.