The bodies of 38 adults and one teenager were found in a refrigerated lorry at Waterglade industrial park in Grays at 1:40am on Wednesday. The driver has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Work is continuing to identify those who died.
The investigation has been launched into the possible role of an organised crime groups, such as people-smuggling rings. The driver, named locally as Mo Robinson, 25, from Portadown, Northern Ireland.
The vehicle had a refrigeration unit attached to it. The migrants could have frozen to death in temperatures as low as -25C. It is unclear whether Robinson was aware of any plans to bring people to the UK.
Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said identifying the victims remained a “number one priority”, but is expected to be a
Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, described conditions for anyone inside as “absolutely horrendous”.
Chief Superintendent Andrew Mariner, of Essex police, said: “This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Our inquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened. We are in the process of identifying the victims; however, I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process.”
Tributes to the unidentified victims were led by the prime minister, Boris Johnson, who said he was “appalled by this tragic incident”.
> Juthy Saha
39 Dead in a Lorry Container in Essex
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