39 bodies including one teenager are found in a lorry container in Essex as driver, 25, from Northern Ireland is arrested on suspicion of murder
Thirty nine bodies, including one of a teenager, have been found in a lorry container in Essex.
The bodies were found in a lorry parked on the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, at roughly 1.40am this morning.
It is understood the lorry was originally from Bulgaria and was travelling from Holyhead, Wales, from where ferries sail to and from Ireland.
The lorry driver, a 24-year-old man from Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police at an industrial estate in Essex, where 39 bodies have been found in a lorry container
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.
‘We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead on Saturday 19 October and we are working closely with our partners to investigate.
‘We have arrested the lorry driver in connection with the incident who remains in police custody as our enquiries continue.
‘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.
‘We are working with Thurrock Council to mitigate against any impact our investigation scene will have locally.’
Police and emergency services were called to the estate last night