Gustavo Garcia-Siller, archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, reacted to the deaths of dozens of migrants in Texas saying that the “lack of courage to deal with immigration reform is killing and destroying lives.”

In a series of tweets, he said: “Faithful of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, we are still holding in prayers our people in Uvalde; now, we are told that over 40 migrant people, our people, have died here in San Antonio.”

“Once again, the lack of courage to deal with immigration reform is killing and destroying lives. We do not learn,” he added.

The bodies of at least 46 migrants were found inside a tractor-trailer on Monday. Another 16 people were transported to local hospitals for treatment. 

San Antonio law enforcement officials said that of the surviving victims, 12 were adults and the rest were children. The migrants had reportedly suffered from heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Those who survived were “conscious and alert” while leaving the scene by ambulance.

All of the 46 confirmed dead were adults, according to San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood.

Also Read | Texas tractor-trailer deaths: Governor Greg Abbott pins blame on Joe Biden

“Some” of the occupants of the tractor-trailer, which was found near railroad tracks in San Antonio’s Southwest Side neighborhood, “got out” before authorities arrived.

A federal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has been launched into the incident.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said that three people had been taken into custody.

“The plight of migrants seeking refuge is always a humanitarian crisis, but tonight we are dealing with a horrific human tragedy,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

“We hope that those responsible for putting these people in such inhumane conditions are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Police received a call from a worker who had heard a “cry for help” near an 18-wheeler before discovering “a number of deceased individuals inside.”

San Antonio firefighters then responded to the scene and discovered “stacks of bodies” inside.

Also Read | At least 46 migrants reportedly found dead in tractor-trailer in Texas

A tweet from Republican Texas U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales said that it had been “102 degrees” in San Antonio when the bodies were discovered.

“Imagine being abandoned inside an 18-wheeler left to die—42 people died today—will [Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas] even mention their names?” he added.