A startling image has surfaced showing a man crammed inside a car’s gas tank, as a driver tried to illegally transport the migrant over the US-Mexico border, officials have reported.

The unusual incident occurred when US Customs and Border Protection Officers stopped a 20-year-old man driving an SUV at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which connects San Diego, California, and Tijuana, on February 27, as announced by the federal agency on Monday.

Alerted by a CBP canine unit to the vehicle’s underside, officers uncovered a Mexican national concealed within a customized compartment inside the gas tank, according to the US CBP.

The individual was swiftly extricated from the perilous situation and transported to a hospital in Chula Vista to address burn injuries sustained during the smuggling endeavor.

Disturbing photos revealed him curled up in a fetal position, squeezed into the cramped tank compartment.

The driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, was apprehended and taken to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego, as stated by federal authorities. It is not yet known if the man smuggled inside faces any charges or has been repatriated to Mexico.

“This case underscores the dangerous and inhumane tactics employed by smugglers who prioritize profit over human lives,” San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin said in a statement.

“Thanks to the vigilance and professionalism of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, this individual was located and removed from a life-threatening situation, subsequently receiving the medical attention they needed. CBP remains committed to disrupting smuggling operations that endanger the public.”