January 1, 55 Dead After Human Smuggling Truck Crashes in Mexico

A tractor-trailer smuggling roughly 200 migrants crashed into a pedestrian bridge in Mexico, killing 55 and injuring dozens.

Rescuers arrived at a gruesome scene in Chiapas where the trailer had tipped over. Officials said 58 people were injured in the crash, and 28 went to area hospitals with severe injuries.

According to NPR, the truck was speeding along the highway before the crash, and the driver later fled the scene. Officials said the migrants were from Guatemala.

“I deeply regret the tragedy in Chiapas state, and I express my solidarity for the victims’ families, to whom we will offer all the necessary consular assistance, including repatriation,” Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei tweeted.

The crash comes amid an ongoing migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, wherein authorities are experiencing record numbers of migrant encounters.

The dramatic increase in the number of people, mostly from Central America, crossing the border illegally has led to an increased rate of crashes involving vehicles packed with humans. The migrants typically pay large amounts to smugglers to gain entry into the country, and the smugglers pack them into overcrowded vehicles.

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55 dead after truck smuggling migrants crashes in Mexico