At least eight migrants were found dead in the Rio Grande River after dozens tried to dangerously cross near Eagle Pass, Texas, local officials said.
The US Alien and Border Protection Service and Mexican authorities made the find on Thursday, when they were informed that a large group of people were crossing the river, following several days of heavy rain that resulted in particularly strong currents. and fast.
US authorities recovered six bodies, while Mexican teams rescued two more, according to a CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) statement.
This agency said that US teams rescued another 37 people from the river and detained 16 more, while Mexican authorities detained 39 migrants. Authorities on both sides of the border continue to search for possible victims, he added.
CBP did not elaborate on what country or countries the migrants were from and did not provide any additional information about the rescue or searches.
The ‘Border Patrol’ sector of Del Rio, which includes Eagle Pass, has become the most wanted corridor for illegal crossings, and could soon overtake Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, which has been the focus of attention. of the last decade. The area draws immigrants from dozens of countries, many with their families and young children.
The sector, which stretches 395 kilometers along the Rio Grande, has been especially dangerous because river currents can be deceptively fast and change quickly. Crossing the river can be a challenge, even for good swimmers.
In June, 53 migrants were found dead or dying in a truck trailer on a side road in San Antonio, in what was the worst case of migrant smuggling across the Mexican border.
Source: TSF
