LONDON, Nov 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All 39 bodies found in a refrigerated
truck outside London last month have now been identified as citizens of
Vietnam, British police and Vietnamese officials said.
The Vietnamese embassy in London said it was “in deep sorrow” over the
confirmation that the 31 men and eight women discovered dead in the back of a truck on Oct 23 were from the southeast Asian country.
“Once again, we would like to convey our profound condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families,” it said in a statement.
It added that its staff and a Vietnamese government delegation would
“provide consular protection and support for the bereaved families in order
to bring their loved ones home at the earliest time”.
Essex Police, the local force investigating the gruesome discovery,
confirmed that the victims’ families had been informed, without making
further comment.
The victims were found in the early hours of Oct 23 on a truck that
had entered Britain on a ferry from Belgium.
Essex Police had initially said the victims were believed to be Chinese
nationals, until several Vietnamese families came forward to say they feared their relatives were on board.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security also confirmed Thursday that all 39
were from the country, noting they hailed from six provinces.
Police in Britain have charged the 25-year-old driver of the refrigerated
lorry, from Northern Ireland, with manslaughter, money laundering and
conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
They are also in the process of extraditing another suspect from Ireland
and searching for others potentially involved.
Vietnam has held 11 people in connection with the deaths for helping
people travel abroad with the intention of staying overseas illegally. None
have been formally charged. — NNN-AGENCIES