46 migrants found dead in San Antonio trailer

A city worker heard a cry for help Monday evening from a trailer abandoned on a remote back road in southwest San Antonio, Texas. Responders found 46 apparent migrants dead in the trailer and hospitalized 16 others, including four children, for heat stroke and exhaustion, according to Fire Chief Charles Hood. The tragedy is one of the deadliest among the border crossings from Mexico in recent decades.

Who were the migrants? They were likely part of a smuggling attempt into the United States, said Police Chief William McManus. Police have detained three people, but it’s unclear if they are linked to human trafficking, McManus added. Authorities have yet to confirm the immigrants’ home countries and how long they stayed in the trailer. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is leading an investigation. South Texas has long served as the busiest location for illegal border crossings.

Dig deeper: Read Addie Michaelian’s Compassion report on Texas’ expanded border patrol operations.