KINNEY COUNTY, Texas — Dozens of dehydrated migrants likely illegally smuggled over the US border were found escaping a sweltering train car Friday, according to reports.
Officials said about 90 migrants were taken into custody after being discovered while another 60 ran off into nearby brush and escaped.
No deaths have been reported, but the San Antonio Fire Department deployed a mass casualty bus and ambulances to the scene in the small town of Spofford as a precaution.
Sheriff Brad Coe said the migrants were likely in the process of being transported by a Mexican cartel.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are expected to investigate the incident.
Coe said witnesses initially called first responders after seeing someone jump from the train.
Dozens of other migrants were later seen fleeing the overheated car as temperatures climbed near 100 degrees in the area Friday afternoon.
Emergency crews treated some of the victims for heat exhaustion and dehydration at the scene while others were taken to local hospitals.
On Tuesday, President Biden issued a request to deploy 1,500 US troops to the Mexican border ahead of the May 11 end of the pandemic-era Title 42 that discouraged illegal entries.
The units will handle logistical tasks as opposed to enforcement, a Pentagon spokesperson said.
Thousands of migrants have amassed on the Mexican side of the border in various places, hoping for a change in border policy which will allow them pass into the US.
However, many have already been waiting months, are becoming desperate and turning to the cartels to be smuggled in.