According to media reports, in a heart-wrenching tragedy, a family of four, including a child, died, all of whom were believed to be Indians, from exposure to cold weather in the Canadian side of the border with the US. Died in human trafficking operation.
The Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on Thursday that the bodies of four people – two adults, a juvenile and an infant – were found on the Canadian side of the US/Canada border near Emerson on Wednesday.
Shocked by the report that 4 Indian nationals including an infant have lost their lives at the Canada-US border. The US and Canada have asked their ambassadors to respond immediately to the situation.
– Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) 21 January 2022
US officials say the dead are believed to be a family from India. According to media reports, it is believed that they were trying to enter America.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Jane McLachey shared the finding with reporters at a news conference on Thursday.
“What I am about to share will be difficult for many to hear,” she said, calling it “a complete and heartbreaking tragedy.”
“At this early stage of the investigation, it appears they all died due to exposure to cold weather,” McLachey said, adding the RCMP believes the four men are linked to that group. Which was caught on the American side of the border.
He said the four were located within 9-12 meters of the border.
McClatchy said the group was “on their own in the middle of a blizzard” and “faced not only cold weather but endless fields, large snowdrifts and complete darkness”.
Police are referring to them as victims, as Global News reports, because there are concerns that the group’s attempt to cross the border was facilitated in some way, and they were left in the extreme cold.
McClatchy said work was being done to identify the victims, but at this stage it appears they all died from exposure to the cold, the report said.
The Manitoba RCMP was notified by US Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday morning that a group of people had entered the US near Emerson, and one of the adults was carrying goods intended for a child, but no infant with the group. was not.
An immediate search began on both sides of the border and by noon the bodies of an adult male, an adult female and an infant were found. The body of a boy believed to be in his teens was found shortly after.
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota issued a release late Thursday and said that Steve Shand, 47, of Florida, has been arrested on human trafficking charges in connection with the incident.
According to the release, Shand was driving with two passengers determined to be unspecified foreign nationals from India.
Inside the vehicle, officers found cases of plastic cups, bottled water, bottled juices and snacks in the van. As they were taking the three back to the Border Patrol station in North Dakota, officers were walking past another group of five Indian nationals.
They said they had gone across the border and were expected to be picked up by someone. The report said the group said they estimated they were running for more than 11 hours.
One person in the group had a backpack he told officers he was carrying for a family of four, they were separated that contained baby items such as clothes, a diaper and a toy.
A release from the US Attorney’s Office said the bodies have been identified as those of a family of four.
The RCMP said it is working with US Customs and Border Protection and the US Department of Homeland Security.
In a statement, the Canada Border Services Agency said it was working with law enforcement partners as well as their US counterparts on the investigation.
The Office of the Minister of Public Safety said in a statement: “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of four people attempting to cross the Canada-US border near Emerson, Manitoba. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their loved ones. And our condolences are with him in this difficult time.”