【Text/Observer Network Wang Mochu】
According to NBC, Reuters, The Guardian and other media reports, the death toll from the Texas Truck Immigration Massacre in the United States has now risen to 51. A law enforcement official at the scene revealed that "in order to cover up the stench of immigrants in the car", many people found in the car were sprinkled with steak seasoning.
The truck was found in San Antonio, courtesy of Getty Images
"Steak seasoning masks the stench of migrants in the car"
A law enforcement official at the scene told the Texas Tribune that many people found inside the car were sprinkled with steak seasoning and smugglers appeared to be trying to "cover up the stench of migrants in the car."
Police Chief Bill McManus said late Monday local time that police had detained 3 people outside the truck's scene, but their connection to the situation was unclear.
On Tuesday, local time, 2 Mexican nationals were charged with fatal human smuggling attempts in U.S. federal court. According to court documents and U.S. authorities, two Mexican defendants were arrested after Monday's incident and charged with illegal possession of firearms in the United States.
The number of dead rose to 51
On June 27, local time, Texas law enforcement found 46 bodies inside a tractor truck near san Antonio. On Tuesday afternoon, Nelson Wolff, the top local government official, said the death toll from the tragedy had risen to 51, including 39 men and 12 women.
Authorities initially found 46 bodies inside the truck, 1 body outside the truck and 4 others who died after being taken to hospital. Some of the dead may have been juvenile juveniles.
San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said 16 people were initially rescued and taken to hospital, including 4 minors, all of whom survived.
Currently, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement division specializing in human trafficking cases has taken over the investigation.
Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard continued to follow the matter on Twitter. He said at least 22 of the dead were from Mexico, 7 from Guatemala and 2 from Honduras, and as of Tuesday morning, the nationalities of at least 19 of the dead had not been determined. Ebrad said " We are mourning. This is a great tragedy. Mexico will join the U.S. investigation. ”
Screenshot of Mexican Foreign Minister Ebrad tweeting
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told The Guardian that "this tragedy certainly stems from poverty and despair". He also promised that the government would help them repatriate the bodies of mexicans found in the trucks.
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei expressed his condolences to the affected families on Tuesday but did not respond to reports that Guatemalans were victims. "It is unforgivable that innocent lives continue to be lost as a result of the smuggling of migrants!" Jamathi wrote on Twitter calling for harsher punishments for "migrant traffickers."
Guatemalan President Jamathai tweeted screenshots
The tumbling public sentiment prompted U.S. President Joe Biden to issue a statement on Tuesday local time, pledging to "continue to do everything possible to stop" people smugglers.
"This incident shows the need to trace the multibillion-dollar smuggling crime industry that preys on migrants and has resulted in the deaths of too many innocent people." It is shameful to exploit vulnerable people for profit, as is the political grandstanding surrounding the tragedy, and my administration will continue to do everything possible to stop people smugglers and traffickers from exploiting those who try to enter the United States between ports of entry. ”
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