During the first eight months of the year, 108 people, likely migrants from South America, have been found dead at the border in New Mexico – compared to nine during the whole of 2020. Since then, the figure has risen steadily, with 113 people found dead in 2023.
Almost half of those found dead this year have been women, most of them between 20 and 29 years old.
The increase in the number of deaths is likely due to human smugglers more often leading migrants along roads through deserts and mountains – even in more extreme temperatures. The area had its hottest month ever in June, with a record temperature of 43 degrees.
According to the American coroners who identify dead migrants, the cause of death is almost always heat-related.
