Police in the UK try to identify 39 bodies found in container
5252 Mins Read
Police have begun the task of identifying the 39 people who were found dead in a lorry container in an Essex industrial estate.
The bodies were discovered in Grays after officers were called on Wednesday morning. The driver, a 25-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
He has been identified in the British media as Mo Robinson, from Portadown in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
The cab and refrigerated container have now been moved to a secure location at Tilbury Docks where the bodies will be removed. They were discovered in the trailer at Waterglade Industrial Park.
Wording ‘The Ultimate Dream’ and ‘Ireland’ seen on the front of the lorry container as it is driven by police along the road from the scene in Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, Essex, Britaintotal of 39 bodies were discovered inside a lorry container EPA-EFE/VICKIE FLORES
A spokesman for the Bulgarian foreign affairs ministry said the truck was registered in the country under the name of a company owned by an Irish citizen.
He said it was “highly unlikely” the deceased were Bulgarians.
Police say they believe the trailer travelled on a ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium around 4.30pm on Tuesday to Purfleet, Essex – arriving about 12.30am on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was an “unimaginable tragedy and truly heartbreaking”.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, he said: “I know that the thoughts and prayers of all members will be with those who lost their lives and their loved ones.
“I’m receiving regular updates. The Home Office will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened.”
