Canada: Immigrants on the US border die of cold - A baby among them

The bodies of four people, including a baby, were found Wednesday a few meters from the US-Canada border on a road commonly used by illegal immigrants, Canadian police said on Thursday.

"At the first indication, we believe they all died of hypothermia," the Royal Gendarmerie of Canada said in a statement.

The baby and two adults were found dead just 12 meters from the US border and 10 kilometers east of Emerson, Manitoba. Shortly afterwards, the body of another man, who appears to be a teenager, was found.

On Wednesday morning, U.S. border guards spotted a group of people crossing the border. One was carrying baby items, but there were no babies among them. Investigations then began on both sides of the border. After four hours and while very difficult weather conditions prevailed in the area, the bodies were found.

The nationality of the victims is unknown. Police are trying to identify them and are continuing investigations in the area.

In a press conference, Manitoba Deputy Chief of Police Jane McLaughlin said the four men were probably "abandoned alone in a snowstorm" and polar cold, as temperatures in the area had dropped to -35 degrees.

During the night, they were forced to cross a large, open area that was covered with a thick layer of snow and it was impossible to cross it on foot. Police were forced to use snowmobiles and other all-terrain vehicles to investigate the area.

For a few years now, the town of Emerson has become one of the routes used by immigrants to travel between the two North American countries. Maklatsi noted that attempts had been reduced for a year, as the border was closed due to the pandemic.

Central and eastern Canada is battered by strong winds, with strong winds and temperatures dropping below -30 ° C.

in.gr