At least 39 migrants died last night in the fire at a station of the National Institute of Migration (INM) in Ciudad Juárez. The first hypotheses suggest that they could have burned mattresses in the men’s module to protest against an imminent transfer.

According to the INM, at the immigration office 68 adult men were housed who were originally from Central and South American countries. Of these, 29 people were also injured in the incident and were taken in serious condition to four local hospitals.

The INM has reported the fact to the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) so that “intervene in legal proceedings and safeguarding of foreigners”.

The station is located on the Stanton-Lerdo International Bridge, which connects Ciudad Juárez with the Texan city of El Paso (USA), and welcomed detained migrantsmostly from Venezuela.

for now, the origin of the fire is unknown, but there are witnesses who told local media that the fire started in the area where the men were being held and some of them were trapped by the flames. In addition, they have reported that some of these people had reduced mobility.

“Given the facts, communication and coordination were established with consular authorities from different countries to implement the actions that allow the full identification of the victims“, has specified the INM.

He has also expressed his “willingness to help in legal investigations, so that these unfortunate facts are clarified.” The Mexican immigration authority has promised to monitor the evolution of the health status of those hospitalized and provide support to the families of the victims.

Before the incident, INM agents had carried out an operation to remove migrants from the streets who ask for alms

The presence of migrants in the area has intensified this year since the United States announced new measures that include the immediate deportation of undocumented nationals from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba who arrive in the country by land.

The region lives a record migratory flow, with 2.76 million of undocumented immigrants detained at the United States border with Mexico in fiscal year 2022 and, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the migratory flow increased by 8% in Mexican territory.

The president of Mexico blames migrants for the fire

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has blamed a Migrant protest over the fire. “This had to do with a protest that they started, starting, we suppose, from the fact that they found out that they were going to be deported and, as a protest, they put mattresses at the door of the shelter and set them on fire, and they did not imagine that this was going to happen. cause this terrible misfortune”, he declared in his morning conference.

“What we know so far is that it is mainly migrants from Central America and some from Venezuela who were in that shelter. We still do not know exactly the names and nationality of those who unfortunately lost their lives,” he stressed.