3 Cousins lost in migrant trailer deaths mourned (AP Video: Felix Márquez)

(14 Jul 2022)

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4388567

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Marcos Atexquilapan - 14 July 2022
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Funeral procession for three teenagers who died in failed smuggling attempt
2. Band following funeral procession
HEADLINE: 3 Cousins lost in migrant trailer deaths mourned
4. Close of candles
5. Hermelinda Monterde, mother of Misael Olivares Monterde crying as hearse carrying coffin drives by
UPSOUND (Spanish) "My life, my life."
6. Funeral procession driving by
ANNOTATION:  Members of the Olivares family attend a wake before burying the bodies of brothers Jaír and Yovani Valencia Olivares, aged 19 and 16, as well as their cousin, 16-year-old Misael Olivares who were among the 53 migrants who perished inside a semitrailer in San Antonio, Texas.  Ten of the 53 fatal victims were teenagers, including the Olivares.
11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Carlos Enrique Escalante, Director, Veracruz Migrant Affairs:
"If the Mexicans' work is so precious in the United States, it is not fair for them to do it illegally. It is not fair for them to walk to the right and the authority turning to the left."
12. Friends and relatives carrying coffin into wake
ANNOTATION:  The investigation continues into the smuggling ring that ultimately abandoned the trailer of migrants on the outskirts of San Antonio on a day temperatures neared 100 degrees. U.S. authorities have arrested four people, including the truck's driver.
13. Yolanda Valencia Olivares, mother of Jaír and Yovani Valencia Olivares, crying next to a coffin
UPSOUND (Spanish) "No, my son no. Why did this happen to my son? Why?"
16. Wreath with photo of Misael Olivares Monterde
ANNOTATION:  Mexico's Foreign Affairs ministry said it would bring back 25 of Mexico's 26 victims in accordance with their families' wishes.
17. Wreath with photo of Yovani Valencia Olivares
18. Wreath with photo of Jair Valencia Olivares
STORYLINE:
After days of preparation and donations to cover funeral costs, residents of the mountain community of of San Marcos Atexquilapan in eastern Mexico mourned the loss of three teens, all cousins.
Before sunrise on Thursday, residents stepped forward to help the Olivares family receive the bodies of brothers Jaír and Yovani Valencia Olivares, aged 19 and 16, as well as their cousin, 16-year-old Misael Olivares.
Ten of the 53 fatal victims were teenagers, including the Olivares.
In the darkness, men carried the caskets and arranged them side by side before a large crucifix sheltered by tarps strung up above the mourners.
The youths, who all played on a local soccer team together, are to be buried on Friday.
"Why did this happen to my son?" cried Yolanda Valencia, mother of Jaír and Yovani. "Why?"
Her sons wanted to build a house and open a shoe store in this town of some 1,500 people known for its shoemaking.
The investigation continues into the smuggling ring that ultimately abandoned the trailer of migrants on the outskirts of San Antonio on a day temperatures neared 100 degrees.
U.S. authorities have arrested four people, including the truck's driver.
Mexico's Foreign Affairs ministry said it would bring back 25 of Mexico's 26 victims in accordance with their families' wishes.
The repatriation of victims was expected to continue in coming days in Guatemala and Honduras.
AP video shot by Felix Márquez
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