US: 46 migrants found dead inside a truck
New Delhi: Forty-six migrants were found dead in the back of a tractor trailer in San Antonio on Monday, law enforcement officials said. Sixteen others — 12 adults and four children — were taken to local hospitals with heat-related injuries.
Police Chief William McManus said at a press conference that “authorities received a call at approximately 5:50 p.m. local time from a worker who had heard cries for help and found the trailer with its doors partially open. The worker found many dead bodies inside the trailer,”
McManus said, “three people were in custody, though he noted that authorities are not certain they are connected to the situation. The incident is now under federal investigation.”
San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said, “the 16 people taken to the hospital were all conscious when they were found though they were “weak” and would have been unable to leave the trailer on their own. All were hot to the touch and suffering from heat-related injuries like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
There were no signs of water or a working air conditioner in the truck. it is not clear how long the group was in the truck before they were found. The victims were a mix of men and women and varied in age, but none of the deceased appeared to be minors, Hood said.
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation into the suspected human trafficking incident and will work in conjunction with the San Antonio Police Department, law enforcement officials told media News.
(Vinayak)
