Six Bodies Found Inside Train Car in Texas as Authorities Suspect Migrant Smuggling

Bodies found inside train car

Authorities suspect migrant smuggling

Deaths under investigation in Texas

The discovery of six people dead inside a railroad car in Laredo has once again raised alarms about the extreme dangers faced by people traveling hidden inside cargo containers near the United States-Mexico border.

Local authorities continue investigating while trying to determine who the victims were and how they died.

Why it matters: The case revives memories of other tragedies in Texas involving migrants found in extreme conditions inside trucks or trains, especially during periods of intense heat.

Railroad worker discovered the bodies in a train yard

6 People Found Dead in Boxcar amid 90-Degree Heat Near U.S.-Mexico Border https://t.co/9jZm4B9rba

— People (@people) May 11, 2026

The discovery occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, May 10, at a rail yard operated by Union Pacific in Laredo, a border city located about 160 kilometers southwest of San Antonio.

According to the Laredo Police Department, an employee responsible for loading and unloading railcars found the six individuals inside a freight car before the train departed northbound.

José Espinoza explained that the report was received shortly after 3:00 p.m. and that officers requested assistance from firefighters and emergency medical personnel upon arriving at the scene.

However, the victims showed no signs of life.

“Upon arrival, police requested support from firefighters and emergency medical services to assist the individuals, but all six were pronounced dead at the scene,” Espinoza told USA Today.

Authorities stated that the identities of the victims will not be released until relatives are officially notified.

Texas police continue investigating the train deaths

“In Texas, police and border agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of six people whose bodies were found inside a freight train car traveling near the border with Mexico.”
pic.twitter.com/VmZm4QQFtT

— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) May 11, 2026

Texas authorities said it remains unclear what caused the deaths or how long the individuals had been inside the railcar.

“This is an active case and an ongoing investigation,” authorities stated in an initial release.
Investigator Joe E. Baeza confirmed that detectives continue collecting evidence while awaiting autopsy results from the medical examiner’s office.

So far, authorities have not confirmed whether the victims were migrants attempting to cross into the United States.

Union Pacific also responded through an official statement.

“Union Pacific is saddened by this incident and is working closely with authorities to investigate,” spokesperson Daryl Bjoraas stated.

Extreme heat inside the train car may have been a major factor

Temperatures recorded Sunday in Laredo exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit and reached as high as 97 degrees during the afternoon.

Local media reported that the heat index inside the train car likely surpassed 100 degrees, creating an extremely dangerous environment for anyone trapped inside without proper ventilation.

Experts and authorities have warned for years that cargo containers, railcars, and trailers can quickly become deadly spaces under the extreme heat of South Texas.

Incident recalls previous migrant tragedies

Six Bodies Found Inside Train Car in Texas as Authorities Suspect Migrant Smuggling – PHOTO: Shutterstock

In 2022, 53 migrants died inside an abandoned tractor-trailer near San Antonio in one of the deadliest human smuggling incidents recorded in the United States.

In 2023, two people were found dead inside a railroad container in Uvalde County, while five others were discovered in critical condition.

Additionally, in 2024, United States Border Patrol agents rescued 23 migrants hidden inside a sealed train compartment near Laredo when temperatures approached 100 degrees.

Migrant smuggling routes persist despite decline in border crossings

The discovery comes amid a significant drop in border crossings during the second term of President Donald Trump and his administration’s mass deportation policies.

Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that through March of this year, more than 63,000 encounters had been recorded along the southern border — significantly lower than the more than 440,000 reported during the previous year.

Even so, humanitarian organizations and federal authorities continue warning about clandestine smuggling routes used by traffickers, especially those involving trains, cargo trucks, and sealed containers.

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SOURCE: CBS News / The New York Times