Texas National Guard soldier drowns in Rio Grande during attempt to rescue migrants

A Texas National Guard soldier drowned early Friday in the Rio Grande while trying to rescue migrants struggling with swift currents as they crossed the border, according to state officials.

Lt. Christopher Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety said the Guard member was part of the border security initiative Operation Lone Star, which was ordered by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Olivarez said the Guard member was carried away by the current during the rescue attempt near Eagle Pass, Texas, a border city about 140 miles southwest of San Antonio.

Powerful river currents have resulted in at least 10 drownings this week alone, Olivarez said. Eagle Pass officials said that in recent weeks they have seen an increase in crossings from Piedras Negras, Mexico, the city on the opposite side of the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass.

Officials have not recovered the soldier’s body. U.S. Border Patrol and state troopers are assisting in the search. Several hours have passed since the soldier was last seen, Olivarez said.

The Texas Military Department confirmed the soldier disappeared but did not verify reports of a fatality, calling them false.

“The Texas Military Department, Texas DPS and Border Patrol are working rapidly to find the Soldier,” a statement released Friday said.

The department said more details will be released as they become available.

Border Patrol agents rescued a dozen people in the same area last week after the “group was scattered after being swept off their feet by the swift current,” according to a release from Del Rio Sector spokesman Dennis Smith.

“Agents acted quickly and deployed flotation devices and rescue ropes. The boat unit made multiple trips to the boat ramp, ferrying the subjects to safety.”

Eagle Pass’s mayor lamented the spate of deaths.

“It’s just so many people crossing, many are holding kids and older ladies are crossing and we don’t know if they can even swim,” Mayor Rolando Salinas said, confirming the search for the 22-year-old male soldier who was attempting to help a young female migrant. “Most times people cross when the water is low, but in Spanish we call it the Rio Bravo because its really unpredictable.”

Earlier this month, a 14-year-old from Honduras died while attempting to cross the Rio Grande with his cousins and sister near the same border city. The teens were traveling to be reunited with family in Houston but his sister lost grip of Cristopher Alvarado Sabillón in the dark waters, according to NBC News.