Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mexican man slits own throat at US border after being denied entry

Man dies just metres from international dividing line, officials say

Kate Ng
Thursday 09 January 2020 16:39 GMT
Comments
Donald Trump claims US are building a wall in Colorado - 370 miles from Mexico border

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Mexican man has died after slitting his own throat when he was denied entry to the US, according to Mexican officials.

The incident occurred on the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge across the Rio Grande on Wednesday, as the unidentified man in his 30s attempted to enter the US from the Mexican border city of Reynosa.

Officials said the man, who was an asylum seeker, died by "suicide” around 5pm local time, according to Reuters,

A short video reportedly shared by a Mexican security source showed the man approaching US officials on the bridge and raising a hand to his neck.

Photos shared by a second security source showed the man lying in a pool of blood. He was just metres away from the international dividing line.

Reuters said it could not vouch for the authenticity of the video or photographs, and that it remained unclear why the man killed himself.

An investigation into the man’s death has been launched by the attorney general’s office for the state of Tamaulipas, where Reynosa is.

Many Mexicans who seek asylum in the US experience violence and crime from gangs that have made life in some parts of the country increasingly perilous.

Donald Trump announced a crackdown on immigration at the US-Mexico frontier as one of his administration’s top priorities.

On the other side of the border from Reynosa is Pharr, Texas. The bridge also serves over 40,000 commercial trucks carrying items such as fruit, vegetables and machine parts every day.

Additional reporting by Reuters

For confidential support call Samaritans on 116 123.

If you have been affected by this story, you can contact the following organisations for support:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in