EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in El Paso rescued five people found hiding inside rail cars filled with hazardous powder, the agency said.
According to CBP, the group included a 28-year-old mother and her 12-year-old son who were trying to enter the U.S. without inspection.
Officers found them inside rail cars containing lime scale powder, which CBP said can cause respiratory distress, chemical burns, or death.
CBP said all five people were medically cleared, given access to showers, and allowed to recover.
The rescue was shared on social media, where CBP officers urged the public to report suspicious activity near railways or border areas.
RECOMMENDED: El Paso police: rescue underway at Rio Grande canal
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.