UVALDE COUNTY, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents found 17 migrants in a train car east of Knippa, Texas on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday morning, the total number of migrants was updated by law enforcement officials from 15 to 17.
According to Homeland Security Investigations, there were 15 men and two women inside the train. Two men were pronounced dead at the scene, and four other individuals were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
At about 3:50 p.m. Friday, emergency dispatch received a 911 call from a non-working number about several people trapped and “suffocating” inside a train car.
Rodriguez said it’s unclear who made the report, but it could have come from the train car.
Border Patrol officials were notified and inspected the train two to three miles from Knippa at a regular stop, Rodriguez said.
They found two people had died and many others unresponsive, according to the Uvalde PD chief.
Migrants found in train in Uvalde County (KSAT)
Medical helicopters flew at least five patients to San Antonio hospitals. Several ambulances also arrived at the scene to help transport five others to nearby hospitals, Uvalde police said.
Three migrants were taken into Border Patrol custody. Rodriguez told KSAT “they were okay.”
‘It’s heartbreaking’
It’s unclear what exact conditions those rescued were in, but Rodriguez said many were more than likely dehydrated due to the heat of the train cars and the current high temperatures.
According to the closest official reporting station, the temperature in the area was 87?F at 3:55 p.m.
“It’s sad to see that so many undocumented immigrants were found in this condition, and two of them lost their lives. It’s heartbreaking,” Rodriguez said.
U.S. Highway 90 East at FM 2730 was reopened just before 7 p.m. after being closed for several hours, according to Uvalde police. Drivers were asked to use Highway 127 and Ranch Road 187 in Sabinal and FM 1049 in Knippa to avoid the scene.
Knippa is a small town on U.S. 90 about 75 miles west of downtown San Antonio and 10 miles northeast of Uvalde. It is more than 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Union Pacific will lead the investigation, UPD said.
KSAT will update this story as more information becomes available.
U.S. Highway 90 East at FM 2730 (KSAT)