Mexico detention cell officials ‘did nothing’ to save migrants amid blaze

Mexico detention cell officials ‘did nothing’ to save migrants amid blaze

Authorities face mounting scrutiny of their dealing with of catastrophe after video seems to indicate guards leaving as flames engulf cell with migrants trapped inside.

“None of the public servants or the private security personnel took any action to open the door for the migrants who were inside,” says a prosecutor.
(Reuters)

The deaths of 39 migrants in a fireplace at a Mexican detention centre are being investigated as suspected homicides, a prosecutor has mentioned, accusing these in control of doing nothing to evacuate the victims.

An investigation was opened “for the crime of homicide and damage to property,” although different attainable crimes may even be thought of, Sara Irene Herrerias, a prosecutor specialising in human rights, mentioned on Wednesday.

“None of the public servants or the private security personnel took any action to open the door for the migrants who were inside,” she advised reporters.

Eight folks had been recognized as allegedly accountable for the failure, Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez mentioned on the identical news convention. 

They are two federal brokers and a state immigration official, in addition to 5 members of a personal safety firm.

Prosecutors have already requested a number of arrest warrants, Herrerias mentioned.

‘No impunity’ over tragedy

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador earlier vowed there can be “no impunity” over the tragedy in Ciudad Juarez close to the US border.

Authorities confronted mounting scrutiny of their dealing with of the catastrophe after video surveillance footage appeared to indicate guards leaving as flames engulfed a cell with migrants trapped inside.

“We will not hide anything and there will be no impunity,” President Lopez Obrador advised reporters after the blaze in Ciudad Juarez close to the US border late on Monday.

Those discovered to have been accountable for “causing this painful tragedy will be punished in conformity with the law,” he mentioned.

In the video, whose authenticity was confirmed by the federal government, three guards appear to rush away leaving migrants of their cell as flames unfold and smoke fills the constructing.

El Salvador, which mentioned a few of its residents had been severely injured, demanded that the folks in control of the power be punished for the reason that video confirmed migrants “were left inside the cells without any chance of getting to safety.”

In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the video as “heartbreaking” and supplied “condolences for the tragic loss of life.”

Source: TRTWorld and companies

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