Mar 22, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; A border patrol agent sits in a vehicle along the border wall separating Tijuana, Mexico and the Outlets at the Border mall in San Diego. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY NETWORK
San Diego, California – One person died and another was injured late Monday night after falling from the U.S.-Mexico border wall near San Diego, authorities confirmed.
According to a Border Patrol spokesperson, the two individuals were attempting to enter the U.S. unlawfully when they fell from the 30-foot barrier. Agents from the San Diego sector encountered the pair around 11 p.m. One individual was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead by medical personnel. The second person sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their condition remains unknown at this time.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation into the incident.
Falls from the border wall have become increasingly common in the San Diego sector in recent years, particularly after sections of the barrier were raised to 30 feet during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Before the change in 2019, UC San Diego Health reported treating fewer than 60 patients for border wall-related injuries. That number surged to over 450 in 2021.
Authorities continue to warn of the dangers associated with crossing the border illegally, particularly in high-risk areas such as tall sections of the barrier.
