Dozens of migrants die in fire at detention centre after mattresses set ablaze

A woman cries while leaning on an ambulance as the immigration centre (Omar Ornelas/The El Paso Times via AP)

Migrants fearing deportation set mattresses ablaze at an immigration detention centre, starting a fire that left at least 40 dead, Mexico’s president has said.

Hours after the fire broke out late on Monday, rows of bodies were laid out under silver sheets outside the facility in Ciudad Juarez, which is across from El Paso, Texas, and a major crossing point for migrants.