Police in Britain launched an investigation after 39 people were found dead in the trailer of the truck in Essex, 30 miles East of London.
According to authorities, a truck from Bulgaria moved to the UK in the Welsh port of Holyhead at the weekend. Police say 25-year-old truck driver from Northern Ireland was arrested «on suspicion of murder.»
«We are trying to identify the victims, but it can be a long process, said superintendent of police of Essex Andrew Mariner. — This is a very tragic incident, many people died. Our investigation is ongoing to determine what happened.»
The police have established a cordon around the place where was discovered the truck with a terrible cargo.
BREAKING Lorry with 39 dead bodies found inside in Essex pictured for first time https://t.co/DaOrSNdZZK pic.twitter.com/XzXRydPask
— Mirror Breaking News (@MirrorBreaking_) October 23, 2019
The news about the terrible incident shocked the British legislators; local member of Parliament suggested that this is due to trafficking. Police have not yet confirmed this assumption.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he was «shocked by this tragic incident.»
«I receive regular updates from the Ministry of internal Affairs and will work closely with the police of Essex, we find out exactly what happened. I think about all the victims and their relatives», — he wrote.
I’m appalled by this tragic incident in Essex. I am receiving regular updates and the Home Office will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened. My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives & their loved ones.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 23, 2019
According to Seamus Leheny, policy Manager for Northern Ireland freight transport Association (FTA), if the truck came from Bulgaria, then enter the UK via Holyhead – trivial route.
«It’s a long way, and it will add an extra day to travel,» said Lehane.
This summer, four traffickers were sentenced to life imprisonment for the death of 71 migrants, whose bodies were discovered in an abandoned truck in Austria in 2015.
In 2000, 58 Chinese migrants were found dead in a truck in the southern British port of Dover.
