The San Antonio Fire Chief has revealed the unimaginable horror inside of a tractor-trailer where46 men and women were found dead.
“We’re not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there,” said Fire Chief Charles Hood during alive press conferenceMonday. “None of us come to work imagining that.”
Two were admitted to University Hospital and at least five were brought to Baptist Medical Center in unknown conditions, PEOPLE confirmed.
Chief Hood said that the victims, who are believed to be undocumented migrants, “were hot to the touch.” He added, “They were suffering from heat stroke, heat exhaustion. No signs of water in the vehicle. It was a refrigerated tractor-trailer but there was no visible working AC unit on that rig.”
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As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the total number of deceased is 50, and Homeland Security Investigations has detained three individuals believed to be part of the alleged smuggling conspiracy, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson told PEOPLE.
Eric Gay/AP/Shutterstock
Temperatures in San Antonio reached a high of 103 degrees on Monday.
The 16 taken to the hospital are expected to survive, Chief Hood said, also noting that no children are among the deceased.
It is not clear how many people were in the tractor-trailer when it was abandoned near train tracks and an auto salvage yard. Not everyone has been accounted for.
Chief Hood also said a number of individuals “got out.”
Three people are in custody, but it’s not clear if they’re connected to the incident, Chief William P. McManus said during the press conference.
Police block the scene where a truck with multiple dead bodies was discovered in San Antonio, Texas.Eric Gay/AP/Shutterstock
“This is nothing short of a horrific tragedy,” San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg added. “Our job is not to ask why. Our job is to ask how we can help. That’s why you’re seeing medical assistance. As far as the federal investigation goes, that’s in the hands of the feds. I’m sure there will be more questions and hopefully some answers as we move forward.”
On Monday, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson told PEOPLE, “On June 27, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) responded to a call from San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) in reference to an alleged human smuggling event involving a tractor trailer on Quintana Road near Cassin Road. Upon arrival in the scene, HSI confirmed more than 40 deceased individuals.”
Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio confirmed to PEOPLE the agency is on scene and will lead a federal investigation.
HSI San Antonio has initiated the investigation with support of SAPD. Details will be released as they are available, and the criminal investigation remains ongoing.
source: people.com
