At least 40 people have been found dead inside an abandoned lorry trailer in a presumed migrant smuggling attempt in southern Texas.
A US official says that 15 others in the truck were taken to hospitals in the San Antonio area, where the bodies were found today. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the information had not been authorised for public release.
A fire official said that four children were among those taken to hospital. The survivors were "hot to the touch" and suffering from heatstroke and exhaustion. San Antonio, which is 250km (150 miles) from the US-Mexican border, is a major transit route for people smugglers.
Charles Hood, San Antonio Fire Chief, said emergency responders arrived at the scene after responding to reports of a dead person. Fire officials found a "trailer with a body outside and several they could visibly see inside when the doors were opened". He added that the lorry had no working air conditioning and that there was no water inside it.
According to KSAT TV channel, the vehicle was discovered next to rail tracks in San Antonio's Southwest Side. A large number of emergency responders, including police, fire, and ambulance services, could be seen surrounding the large truck.
San Antonio's Police Chief William McManus said the investigation had now been handed over to federal agents and three people were being held in custody.
Mexico's Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said the country's consul was en route to the site of the discovery, but added that the victims' nationalities were still unknown.
