rail

Six Bodies Discovered in Union Pacific Boxcar at Laredo Rail Yard

Six people were found dead inside a Union Pacific cargo train boxcar at a rail yard in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday afternoon. A company employee made the discovery during a routine inspection before the train was scheduled to resume northbound service. Laredo police and emergency crews responded to the Union Pacific facility around 3 p.m. The deceased consisted of five men and one woman. Their identities, ages and immigration status remain undisclosed. The Laredo Police Department said the investigation is in early stages. Temperatures in the Laredo area reached the low-to-mid 90s Sunday, though officials have not yet determined if heat contributed to the deaths. The Webb County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct autopsies. Union Pacific stated it is cooperating fully with law enforcement. Federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation.