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A Texas National Guard soldier drowned in Rio Grande early Friday as he tried to rescue speeding migrants as they crossed the border, government officials said.
Lt. Christopher Olivares of the Texas Department of Public Safety said the security guard was part of Operation Lone Star’s Border Security Initiative, which was ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott (R). Olivares said the member of the guard was swept away by the current during a rescue operation near Eagle Pass, Texas, a border town about 140 miles southwest of San Antonio.
Powerful river currents have led to at least 10 drownings this week alone, Olivares said. Eagle Pass officials said they had seen an increase in crossings from Piedras Negras, Mexico, the city on the opposite side of the Rio Grande from the Eagle Pass, in recent weeks.
Authorities did not find the soldier’s body. The Texas Department of War confirmed that the soldier was missing, but did not confirm reports of the death, calling them false.
“The Texas Department of War, Texas DPS and the Border Patrol are working quickly to find the soldier,” a statement said Friday.
The department said more details would be published when they became available.
John Anfinsen, local president of the Del Rio border patrol union, said the young soldier reacted when he saw a woman in distress, according to calls he received from agents. The soldier took off his armor, dropped his rifle, and jumped into the river after her.
The woman survived, Anfinsen said. But the soldier has not been seen since.
Members of the National Guard stationed at the border usually place their equipment on the river bank. It is unclear whether the soldier was carrying vessels. The water level varies from high to knee to chin. A body has been found but has nothing to do with the soldier’s disappearance, three officials confirmed.
Eleven bodies were found on the American side of this section of the river – which stretches beyond Del Rio to the west – said the union leader, and at least 12 were found on the Mexican side this month alone. This is a tragedy that weighs on border patrol agents, Anfinsen added.
“Sometimes you see migrants using an internal pipe, but in this part of the river, people hold hands and go in a human chain. If they step into a hole, that’s it, “he said. “The river seems calm and passable, but it is fast-moving and deceptive.”
A diving team of the Border Patrol and state soldiers are assisting in the search. It has been several hours since the soldier was last seen around 9 a.m. Central Time, state and union officials said.
Border patrol agents rescued a dozen people in the same area last week after “the group was dispersed after being swept off their feet by a rapid current,” according to sector spokesman Dennis Smith.
“The agents acted quickly and used vessels and lifelines. The boat unit made multiple trips to the boat ramp, transporting the subjects to safety. “
The mayor of Eagle Pass is complaining about the wave of deaths.
“It’s just that so many people are crossing, holding a lot of children and older ladies are crossing, and we don’t know if they can even swim,” said Mayor Rolando Salinas, confirming that the search was on the 22-year-old male soldier. “Most of the time people cross when the water is low, but in Spanish we call it Rio Bravo because it’s really unpredictable.
Earlier this month, a 14-year-old from Honduras died trying to cross the Rio Grande with his cousins and sister near the same border town. The teenagers were traveling to reunite with their family in Houston, but his sister lost the grip of Christopher Alvarado Sabilon in the dark waters, according to NBC News.
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