Three Hondurans die from carbon monoxide poisoning in Missouri, USA

At least three hondurans are among the victims of mass poisoning with carbon monoxide registered in a duplex in the American Midwest, a case that has shocked the migrant community and keeps investigations open.

Local authorities reported that the discovery occurred around 5:30 a.m. in Missouriafter receiving an alert due to the lack of activity in the home for several days.

Upon entering the property, the agents found five people dead inside one of the apartments. In the same place they found a minor who showed signs of intoxication, for which she was transferred to an emergency helicopter ambulance due to the severity of her condition.

An officer who participated in the operation was also affected by exposure to the gas, as confirmed by the first reports.

Preliminarily, authorities and consular sources identified three Hondurans among the deceased. The presence of a Guatemalan and a Mexican citizen is also reported within the same incident.

Among the preliminarily identified names of Honduran origin are Roberto Carlos Rodríguez27 years old, Jeana Castillo and Marlon Lalin. According to reports, one of them was originally from Valle and the other two from Danlí, while official verifications continue.

In addition, a 17-year-old Honduran teenager survived the incident and is in stable condition.

The first hypotheses point to carbon monoxide poisoning, presumably generated by a vehicle running inside or near the home.

“Apparently they left the vehicle on, no one noticed, and that caused the gas to emanate,” explained Istmania Platero, human rights defender, in the preliminary investigation, pointing out that the gas would have entered through cracks in the building during the night.

US authorities are keeping the investigation open to determine precisely how the tragedy occurred and whether negligence or additional factors were involved.

So far, the complete immigration status of the victims has not been established, although it was confirmed that several of them did not have regular documentation in the United States.

The case has already been notified to the Honduran consular authorities, who are working to verify identities and coordinate the repatriation of the bodies.

The Honduran Foreign Ministry instructed its diplomatic representation in the United States to expedite the corresponding procedures, due to the absence of a consulate in the state of Missouri.

In addition to the Hondurans, authorities reported the presence of a Guatemalan citizen and another Mexican among those affected, which expands the international scope of the case and requires coordination between several governments.

The surviving minor remains hospitalized under specialized medical observation, while her condition is evaluated. evolution after exposure to carbon monoxide.

The incident remains under investigation as a case of accidental poisoning, although the authorities are not ruling out any line of investigation until the technical reports on the home are completed.

Meanwhile, Honduran families are waiting for official confirmation of the identities and the beginning of the process of repatriating the bodies.