The total number of victims of the ‘steamed hell’ trailer disaster that carried smugglers to the United States has risen to 51.
The New York Times and CNN reported that 39 men and 21 women were killed in the disaster, citing investigative authorities on the 28th (local time).
The deceased bodies of 46 alleged illegal immigrants were found in a large trailer located on the outskirts of southwestern San Antonio, Texas.
Among the deceased, found alive were 12 adults and 4 children all requiring urgent medical attention. The survivors rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. It has been reported that among those taken for treatment five have since passed taking the death toll to over 50. It is also reported that of victims some were teenagers.
According to the hospital, some patients with high fever and dehydration are in critical condition, so the death toll is likely to rise.
Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, which borders Texas, said on Twitter that the number of deaths confirmed so far by nationality is 22 in Mexico, 7 in Guatemala and 2 in Honduras.
U.S. authorities continue to identify the victims through an autopsy process.
Search operations are also underway around the accident site to find other occupants who may have jumped off the trailer or fell dead.
Authorities estimate that the trailer carrying smuggled migrants turned into a ‘steaming hell’ in the sweltering heat, and that the death toll occurred one after another due to heat illness and suffocation.
This unventilated trailer had no air conditioning and no drinking water found. The previous day, the highest temperature in the San Antonio area reached 39.4 degrees Celsius.
The Washington Post (WP) reported that the temperature inside the trailer may have exceeded 78 degrees, judging from similar past accidents.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched an investigation, including sending investigators to the scene to collect evidence.
Investigator Craig LaRoughby said it was the worst smuggling case with the highest number of deaths.
Henry Cuella from Texas told the Associated Press that the trailer went through a border checkpoint northeast of Laredo but was not caught.
Reuters reported that the smugglers had sprayed stimulants on illegal immigrants to deodorize people and disguise themselves as cargo, citing sources.
Texas police arrested three people, including the trailer driver, in connection with the accident, but did not disclose details.