Essex lorry deaths update: Police identify all 39 victims found dead in refrigerated container – Evening Standard, Standard.co.uk

                                                                                          

All 39 victims who died in the back of a refrigerated lorry have been identified and their families told.

                                                                                                                                                

In a statement, Essex Police said all of the victims found in the back of a lorry in Grays last month had been formally identified and their families informed.

                                                                                                                                                   

HM Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: “May I take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to the victims’ families.”

                                                                                                                                                                          

39 Bodies found in a container at Waterglade Industrial Park, Grays

    

                                                                     

The senior officer in charge of the enquiry, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith said: “This is an important step in the investigation and enables us to work with our Vietnamese Police colleagues to support the families of those victims.

                                                                                                                                                   

“It is only right that we provide an opportunity for family members to take in the news confirming the death of their loved ones before releasing any further information.

                                                                                                                                                

“Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those whose tragic journey ended on our shores.”

                                                                                                                                                            

Vietnam sent a delegation of officials to the UK earlier this week to assist with the investigation.

                                                                                                                                                

Police in the country have so far has arrested two people in Ha Tinh province and nine in Nghe An province on suspicion of organizing people smuggling.

                                                                                                                                                                              

So far, two people have been charged in the UK.

                                                                                                                                                

Essex Police have started extradition proceedings to bring 22 – year-old Eamonn Harrison from Ireland to the UK.

                                                                                                                                                

Harrison, of Newry in Co Down, Northern Ireland, appeared at Dublin High Court on Friday charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, along with human trafficking and immigration offences, and was remanded in custody.

                                                                                                                                                                

The driver of the lorry, Mo Robinson, 25, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on October 28 charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering.

                                                                                        

Detectives have also urged Ronan Hughes, 40, and his brother Christopher, 34, said to have links with the road haulage and shipping industries, to hand themselves in.

                                                                                        

The pair, from Armagh in Northern Ireland, are wanted on suspicion of manslaughter and human trafficking.