Disclosure of the nationality of the owners of the frozen bodies found near the American border

A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including an infant and teenager, were found in Canada near the US border in what authorities believe was a failed crossing attempt during a snowstorm.

The Minnesota District Attorney's Office said Steve Shand, 47, appeared in court earlier on Thursday.

He added that the dead are a family of four Indians who were separated from other migrants in a group that crossed the border, according to "Russia Today".

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they believed they died trying to cross into the United States.

"It is an absolute tragedy and heartbreaking," said Jane McClatchy, Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Meanwhile, CBS reported, Minnesota was subject to a cold wind warning Tuesday night through Wednesday.

During that time, temperatures were minus 29 degrees.

Crossing the border into Canada on foot increased in 2016, after the election of former US President Donald Trump, according to CBS News.

In December of that year, two men lost their fingers to severe frostbite, after they got stuck in a snowstorm while walking from the United States to Manitoba, Canada.

A few months later, a woman died of hypothermia near the border on the American side.

And in 2019, a pregnant woman walking across the border was rescued after she got stuck in a block of snow and went into labour.

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