Eight Chinese migrants were tragically found dead on the coast of southern Mexico after their boat capsized along a perilous route used for illegally entering the United States. The bodies of seven women and one man were discovered on a beach in San Francisco del Mar, Oaxaca. The migrants had embarked on a boat journey operated by a Mexican man from Tapachula, Chiapas state, near the Guatemala border. One Chinese man survived the trip, while the fate of the boat's operator remains unclear.
Boat rides along the Mexican coast are often chosen by migrants seeking to bypass monitored land routes into the US. The incident is currently under investigation by the Oaxaca prosecutor's office in collaboration with federal agencies and the Chinese embassy in Mexico to identify the deceased.
The number of Chinese migrants illegally entering the US from Mexico has seen a significant increase in recent years. In 2023, over 37,000 Chinese citizens were apprehended crossing into the US from Mexico, compared to an average of about 1,500 per year in the previous decade. While still fewer in number compared to migrants from neighboring countries, Chinese migrants are becoming one of the fastest-growing groups making these dangerous crossings.
One survivor, Iris Wang, shared her harrowing experience of almost capsizing at sea during her journey from Tapachula to Oaxaca. Wang described the overcrowded boat, fierce storm, and terrifying moments she and other migrants endured. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal.
The influx of Chinese migrants highlights the challenges many face in their homeland, including economic struggles exacerbated by Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions. Additionally, concerns over personal freedoms and government control have prompted some Chinese citizens to seek opportunities abroad, despite the risks involved in illegal migration.
