At least 39 people were killed in a fire at a migrant processing center in Mexico, which began during a protest against deportations, according to officials.
Many of the victims are believed to be Venezuelans attempting to enter the United States.
The fire in Ciudad Juárez’s center started soon before 22:00 local time. (04:00 GMT).
In recent weeks, the Mexican city, located across the Rio Grande River from El Paso, Texas, has experienced an inflow of people.
Many people have been moving to the US border in expectation of an end to Title 42.
A pandemic-era policy that allows the US government to promptly deport migrants attempting to cross the border.
According to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, migrants lit mattresses on fire.
“We think it was related to a protest they started when they found out they were going to be deported,” the president explained, adding that the migrants had set fire to mattresses.
“They had no idea that would lead to this terrible tragedy,” he added.
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Photos from the scene show body bags lined up on the pavement outside.
According to local media, the migrants who were inside the building where the fire started were picked up by officials on Monday and transferred to the center.
The complex is close to the Stanton-Lerdo Bridge, which connects Mexico and the United States.
When the fire broke out, 68 males from Central and South America were inside the facility administered by Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM).
When the fire broke out, 68 males from Central and South America were inside the facility run by Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM).
Title 42, which allows US border officials to deny individuals entry to the US “to prevent the spread of communicable disease,” was first enacted during the Covid outbreak.
The Biden Administration has stated its aim to phase out the Trump-era policy, although it remains in effect for the time being.
Since the announcement, the number of migrants in Ciudad Juárez waiting for the limitations to be lifted has increased.
