Rise in search and rescues near Sunland Park, according to SPFD Chief

SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Sunland Park Fire Chief Daniel Medrano told ABC-7 that his department has seen a rise in search and rescues over the last month. Chief Medrano says those operations are usually in the desert area just outside of Sunland Park.

One person was hospitalized after being rescued in the desert area near Sunland Park Tuesday evening.

On Saturday, the Sunland Park Fire Department recovered a body and rescued one other person, who was also taken to the hospital.

ABC-7 is working to learn if any of these recent rescues and recoveries are migrant-related, as the area is frequented by migrants crossing illegally into the U.S.