Laredo, Texas — Six people were found dead inside a freight train car at the Union Pacific rail yard near the Mexican border in Laredo, Texas, police said.
The people were found Sunday while workers were inspecting one of the cars, said Jose Baeza, spokesman for the Laredo Police Department. He added that they did not appear to be alive.
Police and fire crews arrived at the scene a short time later. Baeza told reporters that they had confirmed the deaths of six people, five men and a woman. They are not named.
Baeza said an autopsy will be performed on the bodies. He did not immediately respond to a text message requesting information on Monday.
The freight car’s travel history was unknown.
“Union Pacific is saddened by this incident and is working closely with law enforcement to investigate the matter,” the railroad said in a statement.
Laredo is a busy land port of entry for trade on the U.S.-Mexico border and a common focal point for the illegal movement of people, although authorities have not said whether the six deaths are linked to a smuggling operation.
Last year, two smugglers were sentenced to life in prison for what remains the country’s most dangerous human smuggling attempt across the United States. The border between the United States and Mexico. They were convicted in connection with the deaths of 53 migrants found in the back of a sweltering tractor trailer in Texas in 2022.