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San Antonio, July 23: At least eight people were found dead inside a tractor-trailer outside the Walmart store here. The San Antonio Police Department rushed to the spot after being alerted by a Walmart employee. Apart from recovering the eight dead bodies, the officials also rescued 23 people from the tractor-trailer, who were in critical condition. They were rushed to the nearby hospital.
The police could not confirm from where the vehicle had arrived, by the time this report was first published. However, the driver was taken into custody.
Investigation has been initiated by the city police department. The officials have called the incident as a “case of horrific human trafficking”. ALSO READ: US adds China to list of human trafficking offenders
“We got a call from a Walmart employee. He said someone from the truck approached him and asked for a glass of water. The employee then saw people lying unconscious in the truck, and others in critical condition,” police chief William McManus said.
He confirmed that eight people were found dead when they arrived at the spot, whereas, 23 others were in critical condition, suffering from dehydration and heatstroke. Most of the victims were in mid-30s. “The number of casualties could change in the morning, as some of them were in extremely critical condition,” the police chief added.
Among the victims, there were two school-age children, the security officials claimed. They further added that those who were being smuggled included both males and female.
The US Immigration Department is ascertaining the identity of the deceased, along with those rushed to the hospital. The police aims to unearth more facts related to the case after interrogating the driver and recording the statements of the victims.
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