Migrants in Juarez taken to the hospital after getting food poisoning

JUAREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) -- On Monday, a group of 32 migrants had to be taken to several local hospitals in Juárez after an incident of food poisoning at the city's Kiki Romero shelter. Two of the sickened migrants were minors.

Juárez media outlets are reporting that the incident happened after midnight today.

ABC-7 spoke with the City's Director of Human Rights Santiago González Reyes, who said this happened after the migrants ate a chicken salad for dinner at the shelter.

The food was provided by the federal government's shelter, Leona Vicario in which there were no incidents, according to Juárez Mayor Cruz Pérez Cuéllar.

18 out of the 32 migrants who got intoxicated have returned to the shelter and are in better health conditions.

The rest of the migrants are not in critical condition, they are still being treated at local hospitals.

Migrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Bolivia, and Venezuela were affected.

"We acted following the protocols and they were hospitalized to avoid dehydration or other circumstances because the migrants already arrive quite weak to Juárez," said Director González.

'Kiki' Romero shelter is currently sheltering 78 migrants and it is set to be returned to be a sports gymnasium once new shelters open in Juárez.

Juárez Mayor Cruz Pérez Cuéllar also confirmed that all migrants who stayed at local hospitals were stable and waiting to be returned to the shelter.

Mayor Pérez Cuéllar also mentioned they don't know what caused the food to be spoiled and they will look into it for future meals delivered at the shelter.

According to El Diario de Juárez, the migrants were transferred to Juárez General Hospital (HG), Children's Specialty Hospital, Family Hospital (FEMAP), Regional General Hospital #66 (IMSS), and General Hospital #35 (IMSS).