Connect with us

International

UK police handed forensic samples to uncover identities of 39 dead people found in a lorry

Published

on

UK police handed forensic samples to uncover identities of 39 dead people found in a lorry

The police in the United Kingdom has taken forensic samples from people in central Vietnam who believe their family members might have been among the 39 found dead in a container truck in England, last week.

The VNExpress news website had reported that up to 24 Vietnamese families had reported to local authorities that their family members were missing.

Reports say police took hair, fingernail and other forensic samples from people in Nghe An province to try and help identify the suspected trafficking victims who were found on Wednesday in the refrigerated container in an industrial park in southeastern England.

According to British police their investigation includes more than 500 exhibits, including cellphones that needed to be downloaded but could help identify the victims.

“We are working hard to understand how the 39 victims of this tragic incident have died and to identify all those involved,” said Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore.

READ ALSO: DR CONGO: 14 victims feared killed after collapse of illegal gold mine

“We remain open-minded as to nationalities of those who have died. We are asking anyone who may have information that may assist us in identification to come forward.”

The development comes after a 25-year-old man identified as Maurice Robinson who was arrested in connection with the deaths of 39 people in the refrigerated lorry he was driving, was charged with manslaughter and human trafficking.

According to UK police, Maurice who hails from Northern Ireland, faces “39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering”.

The police also added that Maurice who was arrested shortly after the bodies were discovered in the truck at Purfleet on the River Thames estuary, will appear in court on Monday.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now