A devastating fire has broken out in an immigration detention center in Ciudad Juárez, a Mexican city located on the US border, killing at least 39 people and injuring dozens. This incident is yet another example of the dangers that migrants face while trying to reach the United States from Latin America.
The incident occurred late Wednesday night when a blaze ignited inside the crowded detention center. The facility was reportedly housing around 1000 migrants who were waiting to be deported or seeking asylum in the United States. According to local officials, most of those killed or injured were believed to be from Central America.
Images taken after the fire shows dozens of lifeless bodies lying on the ground covered by silver thermal blankets. Television footage also showed emergency workers rushing to help survivors who were sitting on white sheets gasping for breath and visibly shaken by what had happened.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador expressed his condolences to families of those affected by this tragic event and promised a thorough investigation into its causes. "We deeply regret what happened," he said during his daily news conference Thursday morning, adding that authorities are working with local officials and human rights groups to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
This latest tragedy highlights once again how dangerous it can be for migrants attempting to cross into the United States through Mexico, particularly given recent efforts by U.S President Donald Trump's administration aimed at tightening restrictions on migration across its southern border.
At present, no further details have been released regarding potential causes or perpetrators behind this tragic incident.