Three migrants died in a highway accident in the southern Mexico state of Oaxaca, with at least two of the deceased being from Cameroon. The National Immigration Institute did not immediately identify the cause of the crash, but five more migrants were injured and are being treated at local hospitals. Oaxaca is a common route for migrants seeking to cross Mexico to reach the U.S. border, and accidents involving migrants in the region are not uncommon. In March, the bodies of eight Asian migrants were found after a boat accident along Oaxaca’s Pacific coast.
In 2023, a bus crash in Oaxaca resulted in the deaths of at least 16 migrants from Venezuela and Haiti. The increase in migrant deaths in Mexico is occurring alongside a surge in migrants traveling towards the U.S. border. Due to the risk of being raided by migration agents, migrants and smugglers often opt for risky forms of transportation such as unregulated buses, trains, or freight trucks.
Last year, a tragic incident occurred in the neighboring state of Chiapas when 10 Cuban migrants died and 17 others were seriously injured in a freight truck crash near the border with Guatemala. All of the deceased Cuban migrants were women, and one was under 18. The driver of the vehicle had apparently been speeding and lost control of the truck, carrying 27 migrants at the time. The driver fled the scene, a common occurrence in these tragic accidents.
Just last week, a truck overturned on a Chiapas highway, resulting in the deaths of two Central American migrants and injuries to 27 others. Additionally, two Central American migrants lost their lives while trying to board a moving train in the state of Coahuila near the Texas border. These incidents highlight the dangers that migrants face while traveling through Mexico in search of a better life.
Mexican authorities typically prohibit migrants without proper documents from purchasing tickets for regular buses, leading them to resort to hiring poorly-driven and poorly-maintained buses, trains, or hitching rides on passing trucks. This risky behavior stems from the lack of financial resources to hire smugglers or purchase tickets for safe transportation options. The tragic accidents involving migrants highlight the need for safer migration routes and transportation options in Mexico.
As the migrant crisis continues to unfold, it is crucial for authorities in Mexico and neighboring countries to address the safety concerns faced by migrants traveling through the region. The loss of lives in these preventable accidents underscores the urgency of providing better infrastructure and resources for migrants seeking a new life in the United States. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean for more updates on this ongoing issue.
