America's deadliest human trafficking incidents in decades. At Least 46 dead in San Antonio

At least 46 migrants found dead in back of Texas tractor trailer as temperatures along border reach triple digits: Tragedy is one of America's deadliest human trafficking incidents in decades.

At least 46 people were found dead inside a #tractortrailer in a presumed migrant #smuggling attempt in South Texas on Monday.

Another 16 in the truck were taken to hospitals in San Antonio, police Chief William McManus confirmed.

He also said that three individuals were in custody, but that it was not known if they were 'absolutely connected to this or not.'

The victims' causes of death have not yet been confirmed, though #extremeheat was the suggested cause. Officials said that the survivors had suffered from #dehydration and #heatstroke .

'The patients that we saw were hot to the touch. They were suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion,' fire chief Charles Hood said in a press briefing, 'No signs of water in the vehicle. It was a refrigerated trailer, but there was no visible working AC unit on that rig.'

Texas has been experiencing a near record level #heatwave , and temperatures in San Antonio reached at least 103 degrees Fahrenheit, 39.5 degrees Celsius on Monday.

Of the 16 survivors, 12 were adults, and 4 were children, according to officials.

The truck was found abandoned by auto salvage yards and railroad tracks around 6:00pm by an individual who worked nearby.

Chief McManus said the individual 'heard a cry for help and came out to investigate.' He said that the individual found the trailer's doors partially opened when upon arrival.

McManus said he could not confirm if all the victims had been found.

'We had our canines out there going through the woods and we may have to do that again tomorrow in the light of day,' he said.
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#humantrafficking #sanantonio #migrants #texas