Record deaths on US-Mexico border

Many poor Mexicans try to cross the 3,000-km border with the US in search of a job.

A record number of illegal migrants have died while trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States, say US customs officers.

At least 464 had died in the past year to 30 September, they said. The figure is a 43% increase on the previous year.

High temperatures in June and July caused many deaths, but others were due to car accidents or drowning.

A more accurate reporting procedure in the Arizona area was another factor in the rise.

According to the Reuters news agency, border patrols also conducted a record number of 2,570 rescue operations during the same period.

Many poor Mexicans try to cross the 3,000-km border with the US in search of a job, and more than a million are arrested every year.