“The driver and whoever else we find is involved in this will be facing state and federal charges,” San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told CNN.
The air conditioner in the trailer apparently was not working.
Seventeen of those rescued are listed in critical condition, while 13 others are in serious condition. Once the people are treated for their injuries, they are expected to be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The driver of the tractor-trailer — who has not been identified to the public yet — was arrested and police are searching the area with helicopters to find several people who ran into the woods.
“The truck was loaded with people,” The New York Times quoted fire chief Charles Hood as saying. He added that many of those inside the sweltering cabin suffered from heat stroke and dehydration.
“We’re looking at a human trafficking crime here this evening,” McManus said.