Gujarat man falls to death trying to cross US-Mexico border wall; state police launch probe

The man died after a fall while scaling the US-Mexico border wall in an attempt to illegally enter the United States of America, while his wife and three-year-old son suffered severe injuries in the incident that occurred on Wednesday.

The Gujarat Police have launched an investigation into the reported death of a man hailing from Gandhinagar following his unsuccessful attempt to cross the US-Mexico border wall, also referred to as the 'Trump Wall', officials said on Friday. Some news reports published in the US media said the deceased was identified as Brijkumar Yadav, a resident of Kalol taluka of Gandhinagar district.

Hundreds of migrants line up to be processed by US Border Patrol under the Stanton Street Bridge after illegally entering the US, in El Paso, Texax. (AFP/representational image)

He died after a fall while scaling the US-Mexico border wall in an attempt to illegally enter the United States of America, while his wife and three-year-old son suffered severe injuries in the incident that occurred on Wednesday. Some media reports suggested that he was working in a factory in Kalol GIDC. The reports said that all three family members fell from a considerable height.

While Yadav's wife fell to the US side of the wall, their son fell to the Mexico side. After learning about the incident through media, the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has ordered a probe to ascertain the facts and take necessary action against agents who were involved in the illegal immigration of people.

"After coming to know about the incident through media, I have ordered a probe and asked the Deputy SP of our Anti-Human Trafficking Cell to investigate the entire matter," Additional Director General of Police (DGP), CID - Crime and Railways, R B Brahmbhatt, said.

Gandhinagar Superintendent of Police Tarun Kumar Duggal also launched a separate probe to trace the family of the victim. "The news reports suggest that the deceased was a native of Uttar Pradesh or Delhi and settled in Kalol with his family. We have formed a team to trace the family of the victim. As of now, his family has not contacted the police for any help," Duggal said.

In January this year, four members of a family from Dingucha village of Kalol died due to extreme cold on the US-Canada border while trying to enter the US illegally. In March, US border authorities had arrested six youths from Gujarat during a failed attempt to enter the US from Canada as their boat sank in the Saint Regis river, close to the Canada border.