DEL RIO, Texas — A 9-year-old girl from Venezuela has died after she tried to cross the Rio Grande in Del Rio, according to Mexican authorities.
Officials said it happened on July 29 while she was traveling with other immigrant women. A woman who claimed to be the child's aunt told police the group couldn't reach her when she was swept away by the current. The group was allegedly trying to cross the border illegally by the river.
Her body was rescued by paramedics at the scene, and sent to the Semefo de Acuña for an autopsy. While she has not been officially identified by the medical examiner, her family told authorities it was Hanna Victoria.
Another child died in a similar way at the beginning of the year. The body of an immigrant girl was found floating in the Rio Grande by the Beta Group of Piedras Negras, very close to Eagle Pass.
On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials from the Del Rio Sector will hold a press conference for their annual Border Safety Event.
This is all focused on the prevention of undocumented immigrant deaths and how Border Patrol personnel are involved in rescuing those in danger.
A KENS 5 crew will be there.
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