Death of migrants in Texas: this was the chronology 0:55
(CNN Spanish) --
The White House targets human trafficking after at least 50 migrants died inside a truck trailer in San Antonio, Texas.
and more than 15 were taken to hospital with heat-related health problems.
Mexico, where at least 22 of the deceased are from, will open an investigation of the events.
How did they find the migrants in the truck in San Antonio?
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told a news conference Monday that he received a call at about 6 pm after a nearby building employee heard a cry for help.
McManus said the employee walked to the truck and noticed the doors were partially open.
When the person opened the door, several deceased people were found inside.
McManus said police have three people in custody, though he clarified it's unclear if they're connected to the incident.
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San Antonio Police, meanwhile, alerted the Department of Homeland Security unit that is leading the investigation into a "suspected human smuggling case," an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman said Monday.
How many people died?
So far, 50 people have been reported dead, according to Mexico's Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard.
Of that total, he said based on information from the United States, 22 have already been identified as Mexicans, seven Guatemalans and two Hondurans.
The rest are yet to be identified.
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According to US officials, 48 died at the scene and two at the hospital, where a total of 16 people were taken for heat-related injuries.
Among the 16 were four minors, according to the San Antonio fire marshal.
At least 50 migrants die abandoned in truck 3:59
Heat stroke and exhaustion, in the midst of high temperatures
The patients were hot to the touch and suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said Monday.
The truck had no visible working air conditioning unit, and there was no sign of water inside, he added.
High temperatures in the San Antonio area ranged from 32 degrees to 37 degrees Celsius on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
"None of these people were able to get themselves out of the truck," Hood said.
"So they were still there, waiting for help, when we arrived ... which means they were too weak, in a weakened state, to actually go out and help themselves."
The White House targets smuggling networks
The White House is "closely monitoring" the situation in San Antonio, according to officials, and President Joe Biden is being briefed on the matter.
"We are closely monitoring the absolutely horrific and heartbreaking information out of San Antonio, Texas. And I can tell you that the President has been briefed and will continue to be briefed on a regular basis," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. to reporters aboard Air Force One.
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"Our prayers go out to those who tragically lost their lives and loved ones, as well as those who are still fighting for their lives. We are also grateful for the quick work of federal, state and local first responders.... We will continue to act to disrupt human trafficking," he added.
Asked what will happen to migrants still fighting for their lives, she said the administration is focused on holding smugglers to account and "continuing our historic actions to disrupt dangerous smuggling networks."
The Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, referred to the episode on social networks.
"I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of life today and I am praying for those who are still fighting for their lives," he wrote.
"Too many lives have been lost as individuals - including families, women and children - take this dangerous journey."
In his remarks on Monday night, the Texas mayor also pointed to the possible culprits.
"We hope that those responsible for putting these people in these inhumane conditions are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Ron Nirenberg, who called the events a "horrible human tragedy."
Mexico opens investigation
The Mexican Attorney General's Office will open an investigation into what happened, Ebrard reported this Tuesday on social networks.
The minister said he had a call with Mexico's attorney general, Alejandro Gertz Manero, who said an investigation into the deaths has been opened and a team will travel to Texas.
The flow of migrants across the border
US authorities are working to better manage the flow of migrants toward the US-Mexico border, Mayorkas told CNN earlier this month.
His operation builds on earlier efforts to go after the smugglers migrants often rely on on their way to the border.
Last spring, the Department of Homeland Security also announced an effort to crack down on smuggling criminal organizations, along with federal partners.
Rescues on the southern border of the United States have exceeded this 2022 those of the last fiscal year.
Since October, there have been more than 14,000 searches and rescues along the southern border, according to Customs and Border Protection, including rescues at water crossings.
This figure is higher than the 12,833 searches and rescues in fiscal year 2021, when there are still more than three months to go.
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