Trackers Search for 8 Guatemalans Believed Lost in Arizona Desert

Trained trackers and helicopter crews searched Friday for eight Guatemalans missing in the scorching desert where one illegal immigrant has already died.

The search began after three illegal immigrants caught by the U.S. Border Patrol on Wednesday said they had been with a group that ran out of water after sneaking into the United States, said Pima County Sheriff’s Lt. Warren Alter.

The three told authorities one member of their group had already died and eight others were lost in the desert, Alter said. Authorities found the body of a man they believe died of heat exposure, he said. An autopsy was planned.

In a related development, the Border Patrol found three Mexican nationals in the same general area--on the Tohono O’odham Reservation, according to a Border Patrol agent who spoke on condition of anonymity. The men were found Thursday night and said they had crossed from Mexico with 21 other people, the agent said.

It was unclear if they were in the same group with the Guatemalans. They were slightly dehydrated but otherwise were in good condition.