UPDATE - 54 migrants killed in truck crash in southern Mexico

UPDATES WITH CASUALTIES; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Jorge Antonio Rocha and Sinan Dogan

MEXICO/BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) – At least 54 migrants were killed and dozens more injured when the cargo truck they were traveling in crashed Thursday into a bridge in southern Mexico, local authorities reported.

Initial reports said that more than 100 people were traveling in the vehicle on a highway in the Chiapas state, and the majority of the deceased were of Honduran nationality.

According to the Department of Civil Protection, the cause of the crash is still unknown, but local authorities said the driver may have lost control of the truck due to excessive speed.

Bordering Central America, Chiapas is one of Mexico’s most prominent hotspots for migration where most Latin American migrants trying to cross the US border enter Mexican territory.

Out of over 108,000 asylum seekers reported in Mexico from January to October this year, more than 74,000 have been registered in the city of Tapachula in southeast Chiapas, where according to rough estimates there are three migrants for every 10 inhabitants.

“Serious accident in Chiapas with victims of nationals of other countries. My condolences to the victims and affected families. In communication with the State Government and Civil Protection. We make contact with the foreign ministries of the affected countries,” tweeted Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.

Chiapas Governor Rutilio Escandon expressed his condolences for the victims through a message posted on Twitter. He instructed authorities to determine who is responsible for the accident according to the law.