“Drowning Victims Found in Canals Near U.S.-Mexico Border”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. El Paso County border canal drownings
2. Fatal drownings in El Paso border canal

Sheriff’s detectives in El Paso County are investigating two drownings in canals near the U.S.-Mexico border. The bodies were discovered separately in San Elizario and Tornillo. The victims remain unidentified as the investigation continues. The El Paso Fire Department recently saved two individuals in a canal, emphasizing the dangers of entering waterways near the Rio Grande. Border Patrol has issued warnings about the strong currents in the canals, advising against undocumented migrants attempting to evade authorities by jumping in. The canals are currently flowing with water released for irrigation, and Border Patrol has conducted numerous rescues in the area.

**Two Tragic Drownings in Canals Near U.S.-Mexico Border**

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating two separate drownings that occurred in canals near the U.S.-Mexico border. The bodies of the victims were discovered on Wednesday, March 27, at around 10:15 a.m. in different locations within the San Elizario and Tornillo areas.

**Details of the Tragic Discoveries**

As the investigation continues, the identities of the drowning victims remain unknown. One body was found in San Elizario, specifically in the 13600 block of Petunia Drive, which sits alongside a canal that runs parallel to the Rio Grande. The second body was located in the 200 block of Tornillo Guadalupe Road in Tornillo, near the Alamo Alto Drain and the Tornillo Canal.

**Recent Water-related Incidents**

This tragic incident follows another water-related rescue just a week prior, where the El Paso Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team saved two individuals in a canal near Zaragoza Road in the Lower Valley. Although there were reports of a possible third person in the water, they were not located.

**Border Patrol’s Seasonal Warning**

The U.S. Border Patrol recently issued a seasonal warning about the dangers of entering canals that run parallel to the Rio Grande. With the rivers and canals currently flowing with substantial amounts of water released from upstream reservoirs in New Mexico for the irrigation season, the risks are heightened.

**The Risks of Crossing Canals**

Undocumented migrants are specifically cautioned against attempting to evade Border Patrol by jumping into the canals. While the water may appear calm on the surface, there are strong currents underneath that pose a significant threat. Border Patrol agents have conducted over 240 rescues in fiscal 2024 in the El Paso Sector alone, covering El Paso and all of New Mexico.

**Final Thoughts**

In light of these tragic incidents, Border Patrol Chief Anthony “Scott” Good emphasized the dangers posed by criminal smugglers who exploit vulnerable migrants for financial gain. The disregard for human life exhibited by these transnational criminal organizations is a stark reminder of the risks faced by those attempting to cross the border through hazardous waterways. It is imperative for individuals to be aware of the dangers and to exercise caution when near water bodies in border regions.