Three migrants from Cameroon died in a highway accident in the southern Mexico state of Oaxaca, with five others being injured and treated at local hospitals. Oaxaca is a common route for migrants seeking to reach the U.S. border, resulting in frequent accidents involving migrants in the region. In March, the bodies of eight Asian migrants were discovered after a boat accident along Oaxaca’s Pacific coast, highlighting the dangers faced by migrants traveling through Mexico.
In 2023, at least 16 migrants from Venezuela and Haiti lost their lives in a bus crash in Oaxaca, adding to a series of migrant deaths in the country amidst a surge in migration towards the U.S. border. With migration agents often targeting regular buses, migrants opt for risky modes of transportation like unregulated buses, trains, or freight trucks. Last year, 10 Cuban migrants, including women and a minor, died in a truck crash in Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala, when the driver being speculated to be speeding.
Migrants without proper documentation are barred from buying bus tickets, prompting them to seek alternative, risky forms of transportation. These include poorly-driven, poorly-maintained buses that speed to avoid detection or hitchhiking on passing trucks. In instances like the recent truck accident in Chiapas, where two Central American migrants lost their lives, the dangers of such modes of transportation are evident. Likewise, in the case of the two Central American migrants who died after attempting to board a moving train near the Texas border, the risks faced by migrants are grave.
Mexican authorities have been unable to curb migrant deaths due to the various challenges faced by migrants seeking to reach the U.S. border. The lack of proper documentation, limited financial resources, and heightened surveillance by immigration agents lead migrants to resort to unsafe means of transportation. With migration routes passing through dangerous terrains and facing multiple obstacles, migrants continue to face risks to reach their intended destinations.
In response to the surge in migrant deaths, Mexican authorities have intensified efforts to prevent accidents involving migrants. However, the challenges faced by migrants persist, necessitating a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of migration and provides safer alternatives for migrants. As migrants continue to risk their lives in search of better opportunities, the need for greater cooperation and coordination among countries to ensure the safety of vulnerable migrants remains a pressing concern.
