Essex lorry deaths: Post-mortem examinations to begin on 39 dead
The first post-mortem examinations are set to begin on some of the 39 people found dead in a refrigerated lorry trailer in Essex this week.
Eleven of the victims were taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford on Thursday evening from the Port of Tilbury.
Read more: 39 found dead in Essex lorry were Chinese nationals
A private ambulance took the bodies to the hospital just before 8pm and Essex Police said it would take time to transport the victims, with their dignity a primary concern.
It is believed the eight women and 31 men found are Chinese, although it is yet to be confirmed.
Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, has sent a team to Essex to help identify them, but could not yet confirm if they were Chinese nationals.
“The Chinese Embassy has sent a team led by the minister-counsellor in charge of consular affairs to Essex, England,” Liu tweeted.
“They have met with the local police, who said that they are verifying the identity of the 39 deceased, whose nationality still cannot be confirmed.”
‘Slow, organised progess’
Leading forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, told the BBC that the post-mortem examinations would be a “very slow, organised process”.
“It is a meticulous examination starting with looking externally,” he said.
“What clothes were they wearing? Is there any jewellery that might identify them? Are there any documents? Are there passports?”
He said pathologists would also look to clues as to how they ended up in the refrigerated unit.
Read more: More details emerge in Essex lorry death case
“Have these people been tortured? Have they been sexually assaulted? Have they been beaten and forced in?”
Detectives have also been granted extra time to hold the lorry driver Mo Robinson, 25, from County Armagh on suspicion of murder.