Death toll up to 53 now
More than 50 migrants died after they were left in a tractor-trailer on a Southwest Side road — a “horrific human tragedy” that’s being called the largest mass casualty event in San Antonio history, authorities said.
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SAN ANTONIO – More than 50 migrants died after they were left in a tractor-trailer on a Southwest Side road — a “horrific human tragedy” that’s being called the largest mass casualty event in San Antonio history, authorities said.
A spokesperson for Bexar County said Wednesday morning that the death toll has risen to 53 people.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that 48 people died at the scene on Monday. Three patients taken to Baptist Hospital and one patient taken to Texas Vista Medical Center were later pronounced dead. One other patient died at an area hospital.
Several others remained hospitalized Wednesday with heat-related illnesses after they were abandoned in the sweltering heat on Monday.
Rescuers said the patients were hot to the touch and “too weak” to move on their own.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said the people were presumably part of a migrant smuggling attempt, but the home countries of all the victims are unknown at this time.
Adults found dead in trailer with no A/C, no water
At 5:50 p.m. Monday, a nearby worker heard a cry for help from the trailer in the 9600 block of Quintana Road and went to investigate.
With the doors partially open, the worker saw the deceased people inside the trailer and called for help, according to McManus.
San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said 46 adults were found dead in and around the trailer, and it appeared they suffered from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office released an update on Wednesday, saying 48 people died at the scene. Five other people died after arriving at the hospital.
Clay-Flores said the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the deaths of those people, and the office has contacted other counties for assistance. Their causes of death and names have not been released.
Some of the victims may include teens, but authorities said it’s too early to determine their ages.
The refrigerated tractor-trailer appeared to have no working air conditioning and had no water available inside, Hood said. It is unclear how long the people were inside the trailer.
The people who did survive were hot to the touch and “too weak” to let themselves out, Hood said.