Fire At Migrant Detention Facility On U.S.-Mexico Border Kills At Least 39

Listen to this article Fire At Migrant Detention Facility On U.S.-Mexico Border Kills At Least 39

Tragic Blaze at Migrant Detention Facility on U.S.-Mexico Border Leaves Dozens Dead

On Monday night, a migrant detention facility located on the U.S.-Mexico border caught fire, resulting in the death of at least 39 individuals and injuring dozens more, as per reports from officials. The incident took place at the National Institute of Migration in Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican city located a few meters from the Stanton International Bridge, which links the city to El Paso, Texas.

Intentional Fire Set by Migrants

Authorities have disclosed that migrants held at the detention center likely intentionally started the fire. Reports indicate that the detainees set their mattresses ablaze in protest after immigration officials informed them of their impending deportation. Regrettably, the situation spiraled out of control, and the blaze rapidly spread throughout the facility, resulting in the loss of many lives.

President López Obrador Addresses the Nation

Following the tragedy, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a statement, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims. He stated that the migrants had not anticipated that their actions would lead to such a terrible outcome. He went on to say that the government would launch an investigation into the incident and ensure that such tragedies do not occur again in the future.

Fatalities and Injuries

Reports indicate that at least 39 people were killed, while 29 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Among the victims were 28 migrants from Guatemala, 13 from Honduras, 12 from Venezuela, 12 from El Salvador, and one each from Colombia and Ecuador.

Ciudad Juarez Overwhelmed by Migrants

Over the past few months, a significant influx of migrants, primarily from Venezuela, has been arriving in Ciudad Juarez. As a result, various parts of the city, including the National Institute of Migration, have accommodated them. However, the facility has become overcrowded, and the conditions have become deplorable, causing the detainees to protest.

Immigration Authorities Conduct a Search

On Monday afternoon, immigration authorities conducted a search of the facility and placed an undisclosed number of detainees in the building that caught fire. However, there has been no official statement released regarding the incident or the number of detainees who were affected.

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