The report from a major newspaper confirmed a tragic death toll following a fire at a border immigration facility in Mexico, with the count rising to 40. The referenced source, El País, notes that the incident involves the Mexican National Institute of Migration, known as INM.
Latest official updates indicated that at least 28 individuals sustained injuries and remained in critical condition as they were transported to hospitals for urgent care. Medical teams at those facilities continued to evaluate and treat the wounded, while relatives and advocacy groups awaited further information about the victims and their circumstances.
In statements reported by the Guatemalan Attorney General, who assumed the lead of the investigation, the deceased and injured included people from several countries: 13 Hondurans, 12 Venezuelans, 12 Salvadoreans, along with a Colombian and an Ecuadorian. The attorney general emphasized that specific details about each person, including who died versus who survived, would be disclosed as inquiries progressed and identifications were confirmed by authorities.
According to the account published by the media outlet, the fire originated as a form of protest by some detainees who were being held with the aim of being transported to the United States for processing. Reports indicate that the detainees had previously been detained for alleged attempts to cross the border illegally. In a bid to voice their grievances, the detainees set fire to mattresses within the cells of the immigration facility. The flames rapidly spread, compromising a large section of the building and triggering a widespread emergency response.
Earlier coverage had noted a higher preliminary death estimate, suggesting around 30 fatalities in the same incident. As investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events, authorities have pledged transparency in sharing verified findings while ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by the incident and their families. The situation remains under investigation, with officials coordinating across border control, emergency medical services, and forensic teams to determine the full scope of the tragedy and to establish accountability where appropriate.
Throughout the response, humanitarian agencies and international observers have called for a careful review of the conditions within detention facilities near the border, urging improvements to safety protocols and access to medical care and legal aid for migrants facing detention. The incident underscores ongoing challenges related to migration enforcement, transit routes, and the treatment of individuals who seek asylum or safer opportunity in the United States. Observers stress that accurate casualty figures, timely updates, and verified identifications are essential to providing closure for families and to guiding policy discussions in the weeks ahead.
At this stage, officials reiterate their commitment to a thorough, methodical investigation that respects due process and the rights of the detainees involved. They emphasize collaboration among national authorities, international partners, and civil society groups to ensure that lessons learned from this event contribute to safer, more humane procedures at immigration facilities along the corridor of transit and processing. The evolving narrative continues to unfold as authorities release confirmed numbers and share findings that help illuminate how and why the incident occurred, and what steps will follow to prevent a repetition of such tragedies in the future. (Source: El País)