Mexico, Europe Brief News – Mexican authorities opened a homicide investigation into the recent fire at a migrant center last week.
More than 39 people were dead and more than 29 were injured after a deadly fire at a migrant center near the US-Mexico border.
Local authorities were accused of doing nothing to evacuate the victims.
Authorities faced mounting scrutiny of their handling of the disaster after video surveillance footage appeared to show guards leaving as flames engulfed a cell with migrants locked inside.
An investigation was opened “for the crime of homicide and damage to property,” though other possible crimes would also be considered, said Sara Irene Herrerias, a prosecutor specializing in human rights.
A total of 68 migrant from Central and South America had been staying at the facility at the time of the blaze, INM added in its release.
“This immigration authority will promptly monitor the evolution of the health status of those who are hospitalized and will provide full support to the families of the victims,” the INM also said.
Andrea Chávez, federal deputy of Ciudad Juarez, said in a Facebook statement Tuesday that an investigation into the incident had been launched by the country’s prosecutor general.
“It is with deep sadness and grief that we learned of the fire that occurred inside the INM in Ciudad Juárez,” Chávez wrote about the tragedy, the cause of which has yet to be officially announced. “We will wait for the official information and, from this moment on, we extend our condolences to the families of the migrants.”
