Murder investigation launched after 39 people found dead inside lorry in Essex
The bodies of 39 people, including one teenager, have been found inside a lorry on an industrial estate in Essex.
Police and ambulances were called to Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays following the discovery at 1.40am today.
Read more: Extinction Rebellion protests cost Met Police £37m
The lorry driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Essex Police said they believed the lorry travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium into Purfleet in Essex, and docked in the Thurrock area shortly after 12.30am this morning.
While the vehicle was registered in Bulgaria, the tractor unit is believed to have originated in Northern Ireland. Police said they believed the lorry and trailer left the port shortly after 1.05am.
Police had originally reported that the lorry arrived in the UK via Holyhead in Wales.
Chief superintendent Andrew Mariner said: “This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Our enquiries 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.”
Essex Police have appealed for any information about the route the lorry may have taken, adding that identifying the victims was the force’s “number one priority”.
Officers from the National Crime Agency, the unit tasked with fighting serious and organised crime, have been deployed to help local police with their investigation.
Bulgaria’s foreign ministry said it could not confirm at this stage whether the truck had started its journey from the country.
“We are still checking the information, published in the British media and we’re contacting the authorities,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Tsvetana Krasteva said.
Glen Freeland from GSF Car Parts, which is close to where the bodies were found, told the BBC that staff could not access their premises on Eastern Avenue.
“The manager went to get into work this morning and it was cordoned off and we’ve been moved to a different area,” he said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “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,” he added.
Home secretary Priti Patel said she was “shocked and saddened” by the incident, and called on the public to give the police space to conduct their investigations.
Essex Police said they are working with Thurrock Council to reduce the local disruption caused by their investigation.
A cordon has been put in place and access to and from the Waterglade Industrial Park remains closed.
“People trafficking is a vile and dangerous business,” said local MP Jackie Doyle-Price. “This is a big investigation for Essex Police. Let’s hope they bring these murderers to justice.”
In June 2000 the bodies of 58 Chinese immigrants were found crammed into a tomato truck at the southern port of Dover. A Dutch lorry driver was jailed for manslaughter.
Read more: Police pin man to ground outside parliament as anti-Brexit protests reach Westminster
Superintendent Mariner added: “I appreciate this cordon is going to disrupt the activity of local businesses in the area and we will work to ensure that disruption is kept as short as possible.”
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Irish authorities would carry out any investigations necessary if it was established that the truck had passed through Ireland.
Main image credit: Google Street View