A lorry with 39 dead bodies inside its container was discovered in Essex in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
An Garda Síochána are monitoring an investigation in the UK into the discovery of 39 dead bodies in a lorry container in Essex in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Gardaí are seeking to establish if the lorry, which police believe came from Bulgaria and arrived in the UK via Holyhead on Saturday (19 October), may have used a ferry service from an Irish port before arriving in Holyhead.
In a statement to JOE, An Garda Síochána say they are “monitoring the developing investigation in the UK and will provide every assistance possible”.
Earlier on Wednesday, Seamus Leheny, Northern Ireland policy manager for the Freight Transport Association, told the Press Association: “If the lorry came from Bulgaria, getting into Britain via Holyhead is an unorthodox route.
“People have been saying that security and checks have been increased at places like Dover and Calais, so it might be seen as an easier way to get in by going from Cherbourg or Roscoff, over to Rosslare, then up the road to Dublin.
“It’s a long way around and it’ll add an extra day to the journey.”
A 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
Early indications suggest that 38 of the 39 dead bodies are adults and one is aged in their teens. The identities of the victims and where they are from has not yet been established.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Essex Police Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “Shortly before 1.40am today we received reports that a number of people had been found inside a lorry’s container at the Waterglade Industrial Park on Eastern Avenue in Grays. We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria and came in to the UK through Holyhead on the 19th of October.
“Emergency services attended but sadly all 39 people inside the container had died. Early indications suggest that one of these people was a teenager, the rest are believed to be adults.
“A murder investigation was launched and the lorry driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
“At this stage we have not identified where the victims are from or their identities, and we anticipate that this could be a lengthy process.
“I would like to thank the local community and in particular those who have been directly affected by the police cordon at the industrial site.
“Thank you for your cooperation. I appreciate the impact the road closure will have on businesses within the cordon.
“I’m unable to say at this stage how long the cordon will be in place but please let me reassure you that my officers and partners will be doing everything they can to release the scene as soon as possible.
“This is an absolute tragedy and very sad day for Essex Police and the local community. We will continue to work alongside many other partner agencies to find out what led to these deaths.
“I would like to appeal for anyone who has any information to contact my officers at the Major Investigation Team on 101 or visit our website. We will update all of our channels as we are able to, but please appreciate we are in the early stages of what is likely to be a lengthy investigation.”
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