9 Die in Overheated Texas Truck in Human Trafficking Tragedy

The incident is being investigated as a human-trafficking crime.

At least nine people were found dead inside a sweltering tractor-trailer early Sunday morning in the parking lot of a Walmart in San Antonio, Texas. Nearly 20 others who were "hot to the touch" were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for extreme dehydration and heatstroke. 

"We're looking at a human-trafficking crime this evening," San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said during a press conference Sunday morning. According to Yahoo, the truck contained 38 suspected illegal immigrants.

"All were victims of ruthless human smugglers indifferent to the well-being of their fragile cargo," U.S. Attorney in Western District of Texas Richard Durbin Jr. said in a statement. "Imagine their suffering, trapped in a stifling trailer in 100-plus degree heat."

San Antonio reached temperatures of 101 degrees on Saturday. 

Surveillance cameras located in the parking lot appears to have captured video of vehicles picking up people who survived the ordeal. ICE acting director Thomas Homan says more than 100 people were once packed inside the tractor-trailer. Four survivors are believed to be between 10 and 17 years old while others informed authorities that they were from Mexico. 

McManus said that a Walmart employee contacted police after someone from the truck came into the store asking for water. After providing the water, the employee reached out to the authorities. 

James Mathew Bradley Jr., 60, of Clearwater, Florida, was taken into custody and face charges on Monday. The local U.S. Attorney's Office would not immediately confirm if Bradley Jr. was the driver of the truck.

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