9 migrants die trying to cross Rio Grande River into US

Nine migrants died and 37 were rescued as they tried to cross the rain-swollen Rio Grande River into the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas, US, customs officials said, warning people to avoid crossing, Report informs via Reuters.

US Border Patrol said more rain was forecast in the coming week. "Despite these adverse conditions, US Border Patrol, Del Rio Sector continues to encounter large groups of more than 100+, 200+ attempting to cross the Rio Grande daily," it said.

Border patrol agents, along with local fire and police agencies, searched on Friday for possible additional victims, a day after the Thursday incident, the Customs and Border Protection said earlier.

A total of 53 migrants were taken into custody by US border patrol agents on Thursday, including the 37 rescued from the river, the agency said. Mexican government authorities arrested 39 people.

Out of the nine dead, three were found by the Mexican government and six by US Border Patrol agents, US customs officials said.