Mexico opens a criminal investigation into the burning deaths of 40 migrants in a border detention centre

A Mexican public prosecutor announced Wednesday the opening of a criminal investigation into the deaths of 40 migrants in a fire in a detention center on the border with the United States, accusing those in charge of the center of doing nothing to evacuate the victims.

Sarah Irene Herreras, the public prosecutor specializing in human rights, said that an investigation had been opened into “murders and damage to property,” noting that charges of other possible crimes would be considered.

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

In turn, Security Minister Rosa Ichilla Rodriguez revealed at the same press conference that eight people allegedly responsible for the migrants’ deaths had been identified. It said they were two federal agents and a state immigration official, as well as five members of a private security firm.

Herrerias pointed out that the Public Prosecutor requested the issuance of several arrest warrants.

At least 40 migrants died in a fire that broke out on Tuesday morning at an immigration detention center in the northern Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, in a tragedy caused by migrants who fear deportation, according to the Mexican government.

Yesterday, Wednesday, hundreds of immigrants, most of them Venezuelans, headed towards the US border [El Paso] after a rumor that the United States would allow them to enter its territory.

Some said they acted in response to the fire at the protest centre.

Mexican authorities are facing increasing scrutiny over their handling of the incident after CCTV footage showed guards leaving the facility as flames swept through a cell, trapping migrants inside.