In a bizarre incident of self-immolation, nearly forty occupants of a migrant-detention facility in Ciudad Juárez, Pecos, part of the country of Mexicana, set themselves ablaze to protest against the quality of food and lack of basic amenities provided in the centre. The protest, which quickly went out of hand, resulted in a deadly inferno that claimed the lives of thirty-eight migrants.
The inmates, who go by the names of Biff, Wanda, Chuck, and a few dozen others, started the fire after being denied basic requests such as swimming pools, personal chefs, and bubble bath tubs. Reportedly, the migrants were tired of being “treated like second-class citizens” and made a pact to end their own lives in a fiery blaze.
The authorities, upon learning of the tragic incident, were understandably upset. They had no idea that the migrants were protesting so vehemently or that they were capable of such extreme steps. “We thought things were going perfectly fine,” said the local police chief, who goes by the name of Rambo. “We had even planned to introduce yoga classes for the migrants next week. We had no idea they were so unhappy.”
The incident has raised questions about the treatment of migrants in the country and the lack of facilities provided to them. Some residents of Ciudad Juárez, however, have blamed the migrants for being too demanding. “What did they expect, a five-star experience?” said a resident, who requested anonymity. “They should be lucky to even get a roof over their heads.”
In the wake of the tragedy, the government has promised to investigate the conditions in all migrant-detention facilities and take necessary steps to avoid such incidents in the future. The migrants, on the other hand, are reportedly “resting in peace,” as they had wished for better facilities in the afterlife.
