Officials say that dozens of migrants were found dead in a truck in San Antonio

June 29, 2022: -More than 40 people were found dead Monday in the trailer of an abandoned big-rig truck in San Antonio, one of the most flawed migrant deaths near the southern border in recent years.

Almost 46 people were found dead in the tractor-trailer after appearing to have lacked water and air conditioning amid sweltering Texas heat. Sixteen others, including four kids, lived hospitalized, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said.

Officials said the victims, who have not been identified, were males and females, with many of them young adults.

San Antonio Police Chief William P. McManus sai three people taking into custody after the discoveryd. He did expand on their identities. Nevertheless, he told authorities did not know if they were connected to the incident.

The grim discovery was created evening in an amorphous area of southwest San Antonio near the railroad tracks. Officials said that someone who works in the area reported hearing a cry for help and spotted at least one body.

“We’re not supposed to open up a truck and experience stacks of bodies in there,” Hood said.

McManus said the survivors lacked water and air conditioning. “The patients we saw were hot to the touch,” he said. “They suffered from heat stroke, heat fatigue.”

McManus said Homeland Security Investigations had taken over investigating the deadly happening. The heat can be a focus, with temperatures climbing to 101 on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The heat inside a camper filled with people was likely higher than the outside temperature.

A committee of the National Association of Medical Examiners has recommended that bodies with temperatures of 105 or greater at the time of collapse be certified as heat-related deaths.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the 46 individuals who died had “families trying to find a better life.” “This is nothing short of a horrific human tragedy,” Nirenberg said.

Monday’s tragedy comes as the number of migrants apprehended at the southern border recently earned record-breaking numbers.

According to The Associated Press, CBP reported 557 deaths on the southwest border in the 12 months before Sept. 30, meaning more than double the 247 deaths reported in the prior year. Most were related to heat exposure.