Mexican Officials Discover Bodies of Eight Chinese Nationals on Oaxaca Beach Following Boat Capsizing
Authorities in Mexico have reported the tragic discovery of eight bodies on a beach in the state of Oaxaca, believed to be Chinese migrants whose boat had overturned. The incident occurred along a route often utilized by undocumented migrants attempting to reach the United States.
The group, consisting of seven women and one man, had embarked on their journey from Chiapas state, bordering Guatemala, on Thursday aboard a vessel operated by a Mexican national. The sole survivor’s account did not clarify the fate of the boat’s operator.
The Oaxaca prosecutor’s office disclosed that the bodies were found near Playa Vicente and has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Collaborating with the Chinese embassy in Mexico, efforts are underway to identify the victims.
Illegal migration into the US from Mexico has seen a steady increase in recent years, with over 6.3 million migrants entering since 2021. This surge, originating primarily from Central America due to various crises, now includes a notable rise in migrants from China, escaping economic downturns and political oppression.
Last year alone, over 37,000 Chinese nationals were apprehended at the US-Mexico border, marking a significant increase from previous years. Mexico’s immigration resources have been stretched thin as it grapples with the escalating influx.
The Mexican government faces mounting pressure from the US to address illegal immigration, particularly as it becomes a prominent issue in the US presidential election campaign.