Deaths of at least six people believed to be due to heat inside shipping container in Texas

"Federal agents are investigating the deaths of at least six people thought to be immigrants found inside a shipping container at a Union Pacific rail yard near the border with Mexico in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday as a potential human smuggling event. Officials reportedly have also said the death of a seventh person whose body was found near railroad tracks outside San Antonio, Texas 150 miles (241km) to the north may be connected to the case."

"Dr Corinne Stern, the Webb county medical examiner, is conducting autopsies and completed one for a 29-year-old Mexican woman who died of hyperthermia, or heatstroke. I've ruled that an accidental death, she said, adding that she believes the others also died from heatstroke but could not rule on their cause of death until she completes their autopsies. Stern estimates it took up to eight hours for the people to succumb to illness."

"Based on my examination on the scene and what I know of from the investigation, I really believe they were dead in less than eight hours, Stern said. Stern found identification cards and cellphones that indicate the deceased may be from Mexico and Honduras, but fingerprints were taken and shared with US Border Patrol to help confirm their identities and nationalities through the Missing Alien Program. The medical examiner's office also contacted the Mexican consulate after identifying the woman."

"Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement that it is actively investigating this case as a potential human smuggling event with assistance from the Laredo police department and Texas Rangers. This was a horrific scene, Stern said, also noting that immigrant deaths are a common occurrence in the 10-county region her office covers. This spring has been busier than it was this time last year, the medical examiner said, referenci"

Federal agents are investigating deaths of at least six people found inside a shipping container at a Union Pacific rail yard near the Mexico border in Laredo, Texas. A seventh body found near railroad tracks outside San Antonio may be connected. A Union Pacific employee discovered the container contents. Autopsies were conducted by the Webb County medical examiner, who ruled one death a heatstroke-related accidental death and suspects others also died from hyperthermia. The examiner estimated it could take up to eight hours for people to succumb, and believed they likely died in less than eight hours. Identification cards and cellphones suggest origins in Mexico and Honduras, and fingerprints were shared with US Border Patrol for confirmation. Homeland Security Investigations is actively investigating potential human smuggling with local assistance.

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