At least 46 people have been found dead inside a truck in San Antonio, Texas, in a presumed migrant smuggling attempt.
Police Chief William McManus confirmed that another 16 people found in the tractor-trailer were rushed to local hospitals on Monday.
He said that three people were in custody but it wasn’t immediately clear how they were connected to the tragic incident.
The official causes of death have not yet been confirmed, but some reports suggest that the main cause was likely extreme heat combined with a lack of air circulation in the enclosed trailer. Authorities said that survivors had suffered heat stroke and dehydration.
In a press briefing, fire chief Charles Hood said the survivors found in the trailer were “hot to the touch.”
“They were suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion. No signs of water in the vehicle. It was a refrigerated trailer, but there was no visible working AC unit on that rig,” he said.
The fire chief also recalled the moment first responders were confronted by “stacks of bodies” after walking into the trailer.
While reports suggest that the weather conditions were somewhat cloudy on Monday, the temperatures reached as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving migrants in the overpacked trailer in scorching heat.
Chief McManus has since also revealed that the trailer and the truck were found abandoned by a passerby who works in the area at around 6 pm.
“He heard a cry for help and came out to investigate,” McManus explained.
He went on to say that the authorities initiated a search for other possible victims due to the fact that the door of the trailer was already partially opened by the time the passerby found the truck and reported the incident to the police.
“We had our canines out there going through the woods and we may have to do that again tomorrow in the light of day,” the police chief said.
Meanwhile, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the incident represents a “horrific human tragedy.”
“The plight of migrants seeking refuge is always a humanitarian crisis. But tonight we are dealing with a horrific human tragedy,” Nirenberg expressed.
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