Meat seasoning used to mask odor of 51 dead migrants in Texas human smuggling tragedy

According to the Texas Tribune, the estimated 100 victims that were found stuffed in the trailer were sprinkled with meat seasoning to mask the odor of the dead bodies. 51 migrants from Mexico and elsewhere were reportedly deceased, and dozens were hospitalized, including children.

The tractor-trailer was located at the 9600 block of Quintana Road and is believed to be part of a human smuggling operation, according to authorities.

Survivors were suffering exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration amid an ongoing heatwave. The deceased victims showed evidence of heat-related causes of death. The month of June reached historic high temperatures, with 16 days recording 100 degrees or higher.

Chief William McManus of the San Antonio Police Department said a worker notified authorities about the tractor-trailer at approximately 6 p.m. after hearing a "cry for help." McManus said that the grisly discovery was now a federal investigation and at least three people were in custody but did not specify if the individuals were suspects.

Bodies were also found within several blocks around the truck's location, suggesting that some migrants attempted to escape while the truck was in motion, according to the paper.

The hospitalized survivors, including four children, are in conditions ranging from critical to stable. The death toll jumped from 46 to 51 on Tuesday morning after transported victims died in the hospital.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott blamed President Joe Biden for the tragedy because of the ongoing border crisis caused by the administration's policies. Abbott tweeted Monday night, "At Least 42 People Found Dead Inside Truck Carrying Migrants In Texas. These deaths are on Biden. They are a result of his deadly open border policies. They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law."