Migration agents clashed with a group of 300 migrants who threw sticks and stones at them after they were found hiding in a railway company’s yard, it has emerged.

Mexico’s National Institute of Migration (INM) reported that the large group was discovered at the facilities of the railway transport company Ferromex in Torreon, a city in the northern state of Coahuila, on 13th March.

Authorities detained 61 migrants in total.

The INM identified a total of 30 men, 15 women and 16 children – forming ten family units of different nationalities – who were part of a 300-people group.

The vast majority reportedly come from Venezuela, with four people from the Dominican Republic, two from China, and one person each from Nicaragua, Ecuador, Honduras and Turkey.

Ferromex reported the presence of around 300 foreigners and INM agents, together with municipal and state public security personnel, went to the premises.

Upon security forces’ arrival, the migrants clashed with the agents by throwing sticks and stones at them.

Most of them then fled by jumping over the fences that limit the Ferromex compound.

The 61 people identified have been transferred to INM headquarters to determine their legal status in the country.

No injuries have been reported.

Thousands of people go through Mexico every year in an attempt to reach the United States in a migratory pressure that has increased in recent years.

During the pandemic, tens of thousands of migrants fled the countries of Central America, Haiti and Venezuela due to poverty, the humanitarian crisis or systematic violence in these countries.