48 Migrants Dead After Being Trapped In Abandoned Truck In Texas Heat

At least 46 undocumented migrants were found dead in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas and more than a dozen were hospitalized, authorities said.

Two of those taken to a hospital later died, officials said, bringing the total death toll to 48.

An 18-wheeler containing up to 100 migrants inside was found abandoned at the 9600 block of Quintana Road. The gruesome discovery is part of what authorities believe to be a human smuggling operation.

“This is nothing short of a horrific human tragedy,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Monday night near the location where the tractor-trailer was found.

Authorities at the scene confirmed that 46 individuals were found dead, none of which were children.

“The plight of migrants seeking refuge is always a humanitarian crisis but tonight we are dealing with a horrific human tragedy,” the mayor added.

Sixteen individuals from the tractor-trailer were transported to the hospital, including 12 adults and four children.

“We hope those responsible for putting these people in such inhumane conditions are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the mayor said.

Police blocked the scene where a semitrailer was discovered with multiple dead bodies inside on Monday.

San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said a nearby worker called authorities about the tractor-trailer shortly before 6 p.m. Responding officers found dozens of deceased inside the back of the transport vehicle.

“This is now a federal investigation,” McManus said. The police chief also said three people are in custody but did not say whether the individuals were suspects in the investigation.

All the deceased victims died of heat-related causes of death and the survivors who were transported to the hospital were suffering from heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration, he said.

McManus stated that the tractor-trailer was a refrigerated truck but the refrigeration system was not functioning.

He added that there was no drinkable water found inside the trailer.

Authorities at the scene where more than 40 migrants were found dead Monday inside a large truck in San Antonio, Texas.  (Matteo Cina)

The San Antonio Fire Department described a horrific scene as well.

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

Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican who represents Texas, tweeted about the incident.

“Today in San Antonio it was 102 degrees. Imagine being abandoned inside an 18-wheeler left to die – 42 people died today – will @AliMayorkas even mention their names?”

“At Least 42 People Found Dead Inside Truck Carrying Migrants In Texas. These deaths are on Biden,” Abbott tweeted Monday evening. “They are a result of his deadly open border policies. They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law.”