The total number of victims of the 'steamed hell' trailer disaster that carried smugglers to the United States has risen to 51.
The New York Times and CNN reported that 39 men and 21 women were killed in the disaster, citing investigative authorities.
The day before, 46 bodies believed to be illegal immigrants were found in a large trailer found on the outskirts of southwestern San Antonio, Texas.
In addition, 16 people, including four children, were rushed to a nearby hospital, but five of them died.
Victims are also said to include teenagers.
According to the hospital, some patients with high fever and dehydration are in critical condition, so the death toll is likely to rise.
Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, which borders the state of Texas, said on Twitter that the number of deaths confirmed so far by nationality is 22 in Mexico, 7 in Guatemala and 2 in Honduras.
U.S. authorities continue to identify the victims through autopsy procedures.
Search operations are also underway around the accident site to find other occupants who may have jumped off the trailer or fell dead.
Authorities estimate that the trailer carrying smuggled migrants turned into a 'steaming hell' in the sweltering heat, and that the death toll occurred one after another due to heat illness and suffocation.
This unventilated trailer had no air conditioning and no drinking water found.
The previous day, the highest temperature in the San Antonio area reached 39.4 degrees Celsius.
The Washington Post reported that the temperature inside the trailer was likely to have exceeded 78 degrees, judging from similar past accidents.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has dispatched investigators to the scene and launched an investigation, including collecting evidence.
Investigator Craig LaRoughby said it was the worst smuggling case with the highest number of deaths.
He explained that illegal immigrants usually pay 80 to 10,000 dollars to smugglers and 10.3 to 13 million won in our money to cross the border, and he explained that smugglers are scattered all over the United States based in San Antonio.
Congressman Henry Cuella from Texas told the Associated Press that the trailer went through a border checkpoint northeast of Laredo, but was not caught.
The Department of Homeland Security is investigating the situation against border patrols.
Reuters, citing a source, said smugglers had sprayed stimulants on illegal immigrants to deodorize people and disguise themselves as cargo.
Texas police arrested three people, including the trailer driver, in connection with the accident, but did not disclose details.
Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador said he would support an investigation into the deaths of migrants.
He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims from Central and South America, including Mexico, saying that it was an "extremely unfortunate accident."
He said immigration will be a key topic next month when he meets with President Joe Biden in Washington, DC.
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)