truck of death
Graphic details of 53 migrants found dead who were ‘hot to touch’ & left with no water or AC in ‘150F truck’
THE 53 migrants who were found dead in a truck that reached an estimated 150F were hot to the touch and left with no water, a fire chief has said.
Rescue crews said they found stacks of bodies as they made the horrifying discovery in San Antonio, Texas on Monday.
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San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood told reporters that the victims were “hot to the touch”.
He said: “We’re not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there.”
Hood revealed that there were no signs of water and it didn’t appear the truck had air conditioning.
San Antonio is located around 160 miles from the Mexican border and the mercury in the city hit a whopping 103F on Monday, so it’s estimated that the temperature inside the vehicle reached 150F.
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Three suspects were taken into custody following the deadly discovery, but it is unclear if they are "absolutely connected to this or not," San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said.
Police said they found 16 victims - 12 adults and four kids - conscious in the back of the truck. They were rushed to local hospitals.
Hood revealed that the survivors are in hospital as they suffered from severe heat stroke and exhaustion.
Officials are yet to confirm the cause of the death of the 53 migrants.
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The truck was registered under the name of a man, of Alamo, the reports.
However, the man's son-in-law, Isaac Limon, told the outlet the number on the truck has been fraudulently used by a smuggler.
"It was a perfect setup," he told the outlet, adding that his father-in-law was shaken up by the incident.
Local resident Ruby Chavez, 53, told the the area where the bodies were discovered is a well-known "drop-off spot" for migrants.
'TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE'
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas described the discovery as a "tragic loss of life".
He wrote: "I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of life today and am praying for those still fighting for their lives.
"Far too many lives have been lost as individuals – including families, women, and children – take this dangerous journey."
Joaquin Castro, who represents Texas' 20th congressional district, said: "This horrible tragedy is a reminder that we need a safe, orderly way for people to claim asylum."
But, governor Greg Abbott has claimed the “open borders policy” of the Biden administration led to the horror event.
It is one of the deadliest incidents involving migrants attempting to cross into the US from Mexico in recent decades.
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In 2017, 10 migrants died after being trapped inside a parked truck at a Walmart in San Antonio.
In 2003, 19 migrants were found in a heated tractor-trailer while they traveled to Houston.
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