The&nbsp;first&nbsp;remains&nbsp;of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/driver-charged-as-more-vietnamese-feared-dead-among-39-uk-truck-victims-261361">39 people found dead</a> in a&nbsp;truck&nbsp;in Britain last month arrived in&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;early Wednesday, an airport security source said.

The bodies arrived on a commercial&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;Airlines flight from London to Hanoi, where ambulances and security personnel waited at the airport.

"The plane landed with 16 bodies on board... we are waiting to transfer the bodies to local authorities," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

An official letter seen by AFP confirmed that 16 bodies would&nbsp;arrive&nbsp;in&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;Wednesday. The 16&nbsp;victims&nbsp;came from three provinces in central&nbsp;Vietnam.

The other&nbsp;remains&nbsp;are expected to&nbsp;arrive&nbsp;in the coming days, though officials have not confirmed the date publicly.

Families have been frozen in grief for weeks waiting for their relatives' return, and many have taken out hefty loans from the government to cover the cost of repatriation.

The&nbsp;remains&nbsp;were expected to be delivered later Wednesday to relatives in three central provinces,&nbsp;Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh,&nbsp;so families could hold funerals and burial ceremonies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-strongly-condemns-human-trafficking-after-uk-truck-tragedy-259460">The bodies of 31 men and eight women</a> were discovered in a refrigerated lorry in an industrial state in Essex east of London on October 23.

Police initially identified the&nbsp;victims&nbsp;as Chinese but families in&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;later came forward with fears their relatives were on the&nbsp;truck.

The United Kingdom is a top destination for Vietnamese illegal migrants.

Many arrange trips through brokers who promise them well-paid jobs and end up working in nail bars or on cannabis farms, deep in debt for their dangerous trips over.

'VIP route'&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-arrests-eight-in-connection-with-uk-truck-deaths-259812">Several families of the 39&nbsp;victims</a>&nbsp;told AFP they borrowed thousands of dollars to pay for their relatives' trips to Europe.

They are now further in debt having taken loans from the government to bring their relatives back.

Families were given two options for repatriation: $1,774 to bring back ashes, or $2,858 for the cost of a coffin carrying the body.

Though relatives were encouraged by authorities to opt for ashes "to ensure speed, low cost and sanitation safety", many paid more for the bodies to carry out traditional burials.

Cremation is rare in the&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;countryside, where many of the&nbsp;victims&nbsp;were from.

Most hailed from just a handful of central&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;provinces, which are among the poorest in the country and where well-entrenched networks of illegal brokers can easily facilitate risky trips abroad.

Ten of the&nbsp;victims&nbsp;were teenagers, including two 15-year-old boys, and 30 of the group came from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces.

They paid thousands of dollars to brokers who promised the&nbsp;truck&nbsp;was the safer option,&nbsp;billed as the 'VIP route',&nbsp;their families told AFP.

On Monday, the Northern Irish driver of the&nbsp;truck, 25-year-old Maurice Robinson, pleaded guilty to conspiring to assist illegal immigration.

He also admitted to acquiring the cash that came from criminal conduct but did not plead guilty to 41 other charges levelled against him.

Several other people have been arrested in the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;over the incident while&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;has held at least 10 people, though none have been formally charged.

The first remains of the 39 people found dead in a truck in Britain last month arrived in Vietnam early Wednesday, an airport security source said. The bodies arrived on a commercial Vietnam Airlines flight from London to Hanoi, where ambulances and security personnel waited at the airport.

The first remains of the 39 people found dead in a truck in Britain last month arrived in Vietnam early Wednesday, an airport security source said. The bodies arrived on a commercial Vietnam Airlines flight from London to Hanoi, where ambulances and security personnel waited at the airport. "The plane landed with 16 bodies on board... we are waiting to transfer the bodies to local authorities," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. An official letter seen by AFP confirmed that 16 bodies would arrive in Vietnam Wednesday. The 16 victims came from three provinces in central Vietnam. The other remains are expected to arrive in the coming days, though officials have not confirmed the date publicly. Families have been frozen in grief for weeks waiting for their relatives' return, and many have taken out hefty loans from the government to cover the cost of repatriation. The remains were expected to be delivered later Wednesday to relatives in three central provinces, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, so families could hold funerals and burial ceremonies. The bodies of 31 men and eight women were discovered in a refrigerated lorry in an industrial state in Essex east of London on October 23. Police initially identified the victims as Chinese but families in Vietnam later came forward with fears their relatives were on the truck. The United Kingdom is a top destination for Vietnamese illegal migrants. Many arrange trips through brokers who promise them well-paid jobs and end up working in nail bars or on cannabis farms, deep in debt for their dangerous trips over. 'VIP route' Several families of the 39 victims told AFP they borrowed thousands of dollars to pay for their relatives' trips to Europe. They are now further in debt having taken loans from the government to bring their relatives back. Families were given two options for repatriation: $1,774 to bring back ashes, or $2,858 for the cost of a coffin carrying the body. Though relatives were encouraged by authorities to opt for ashes "to ensure speed, low cost and sanitation safety", many paid more for the bodies to carry out traditional burials. Cremation is rare in the Vietnam countryside, where many of the victims were from. Most hailed from just a handful of central Vietnam provinces, which are among the poorest in the country and where well-entrenched networks of illegal brokers can easily facilitate risky trips abroad. Ten of the victims were teenagers, including two 15-year-old boys, and 30 of the group came from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. They paid thousands of dollars to brokers who promised the truck was the safer option, billed as the 'VIP route', their families told AFP. On Monday, the Northern Irish driver of the truck, 25-year-old Maurice Robinson, pleaded guilty to conspiring to assist illegal immigration. He also admitted to acquiring the cash that came from criminal conduct but did not plead guilty to 41 other charges levelled against him. Several other people have been arrested in the UK over the incident while Vietnam has held at least 10 people, though none have been formally charged.

Remains of United Kingdom lorry victims arrive in Vietnam

British&nbsp;police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/39-bodies-found-in-lorry-in-essex-were-vietnam-nationals-uk-police-260616">manslaughter and people trafficking</a>, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead.

Maurice Robinson was arrested shortly after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered in the truck in an industrial zone in Grays in Essex, south-east England.

The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland was "charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering", Essex police said.

Three more people are in custody in Britain over the investigation, the country's largest murder probe since the 2005 London suicide bombings.

A Northern Irish man was also arrested in Dublin on Saturday.

Police initially said the victims,&nbsp;believed to have arrived on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge,&nbsp;were Chinese, but retracted this and now many are feared to be Vietnamese.

Vietnam's ambassador, Tran Ngoc An, visited police investigating the case on Saturday and also spoke on the phone to&nbsp;British&nbsp;interior minister Priti Patel, the embassy said.

In Vietnam, several families told AFP Saturday that their relatives had gone missing on route to Britain, a prime destination for migrants seeking better lives abroad.

All the families come from impoverished and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of striking it rich abroad.

Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often owing tens of thousands of dollars to their traffickers and carrying falsified documents, and end up working off the books on cannabis farms or in nail salons.&nbsp;

'Fell to the ground'

In central Ha Tinh province, the father of 20-year-old Nguyen Dinh Luong said he received a call from a Vietnamese man in the UK this week saying his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-police-step-up-appeals-over-migrant-lorry-deaths-259320">son had died en route to Britain</a>.&nbsp;

"I fell to the ground when I heard that," Nguyen Dinh Gia said.&nbsp;"It seemed that he was in the truck with the accident, all of them dead."

Britain-based community group VietHome said it had received "photos of nearly 20 people reported missing, age 15-45" from Vietnam.

Families of missing Vietnamese migrants on Saturday held vigil and set up makeshift altars in their homes in central Nghe An province, where many of the suspected victims came from, praying for news from missing relatives.&nbsp;

The family of a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman, Pham&nbsp;Thi Tra My, said on Friday they received a chilling text message from her in the hours before she is believed to have died.

"I'm sorry Mom. My path to abroad doesn't succeed. Mom, I love you so much! I'm dying because I can't breathe," she said in the message confirmed by her brother Pham Manh Cuong.

Their home province of Ha Tinh was devastated by a massive fish kill in 2016 when a Taiwanese&nbsp;steel&nbsp;firm dumped toxic wasted into the ocean.

Migrants can pay smugglers up to $40,000 for the dangerous journey, an enormous sum in Vietnam, where the annual per capital income is around $2,400, according to the World Bank.

'Vulnerable people'

The truck's driver is due in court on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-lorry-victims-believed-to-be-vietnamese-uk-police-259383">Among the suspects still in custody</a> is a&nbsp;38-year-old woman reported to be the registered owner of the truck, and her husband, also 38. They denied any involvement, according to media reports.

"We've got to be realistic. We know that... we have people coming into the country, either being trafficked or as asylum seekers,"&nbsp;British&nbsp;police Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore told reporters earlier Saturday.

"It must be clear that criminals,&nbsp;and that's what we're dealing with, criminals, murderers,&nbsp;are taking more and more chances with these vulnerable people," he added.&nbsp;

He appealed to the Vietnamese community in Britain for information, saying his force would take no action against anyone here illegally who came forward to claim a friend or relative.

Pasmore said he had discussed with Vietnam's ambassador how to fast-track the process of fingerprint identification and DNA testing, but said identification would take time.

British police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with manslaughter and people trafficking, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead.

British police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with manslaughter and people trafficking, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead. Maurice Robinson was arrested shortly after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered in the truck in an industrial zone in Grays in Essex, south-east England. The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland was "charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering", Essex police said. Three more people are in custody in Britain over the investigation, the country's largest murder probe since the 2005 London suicide bombings. A Northern Irish man was also arrested in Dublin on Saturday. Police initially said the victims, believed to have arrived on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, were Chinese, but retracted this and now many are feared to be Vietnamese. Vietnam's ambassador, Tran Ngoc An, visited police investigating the case on Saturday and also spoke on the phone to British interior minister Priti Patel, the embassy said. In Vietnam, several families told AFP Saturday that their relatives had gone missing on route to Britain, a prime destination for migrants seeking better lives abroad. All the families come from impoverished and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of striking it rich abroad. Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often owing tens of thousands of dollars to their traffickers and carrying falsified documents, and end up working off the books on cannabis farms or in nail salons. 'Fell to the ground' In central Ha Tinh province, the father of 20-year-old Nguyen Dinh Luong said he received a call from a Vietnamese man in the UK this week saying his son had died en route to Britain. "I fell to the ground when I heard that," Nguyen Dinh Gia said. "It seemed that he was in the truck with the accident, all of them dead." Britain-based community group VietHome said it had received "photos of nearly 20 people reported missing, age 15-45" from Vietnam. Families of missing Vietnamese migrants on Saturday held vigil and set up makeshift altars in their homes in central Nghe An province, where many of the suspected victims came from, praying for news from missing relatives. The family of a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman, Pham Thi Tra My, said on Friday they received a chilling text message from her in the hours before she is believed to have died. "I'm sorry Mom. My path to abroad doesn't succeed. Mom, I love you so much! I'm dying because I can't breathe," she said in the message confirmed by her brother Pham Manh Cuong. Their home province of Ha Tinh was devastated by a massive fish kill in 2016 when a Taiwanese steel firm dumped toxic wasted into the ocean. Migrants can pay smugglers up to $40,000 for the dangerous journey, an enormous sum in Vietnam, where the annual per capital income is around $2,400, according to the World Bank. 'Vulnerable people' The truck's driver is due in court on Monday. Among the suspects still in custody is a 38-year-old woman reported to be the registered owner of the truck, and her husband, also 38. They denied any involvement, according to media reports. "We've got to be realistic. We know that... we have people coming into the country, either being trafficked or as asylum seekers," British police Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore told reporters earlier Saturday. "It must be clear that criminals, and that's what we're dealing with, criminals, murderers, are taking more and more chances with these vulnerable people," he added. He appealed to the Vietnamese community in Britain for information, saying his force would take no action against anyone here illegally who came forward to claim a friend or relative. Pasmore said he had discussed with Vietnam's ambassador how to fast-track the process of fingerprint identification and DNA testing, but said identification would take time.

Driver charged as more Vietnamese feared dead among 39 UK truck victims

Police in the UK said today that bodies found in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-police-step-up-appeals-over-migrant-lorry-deaths-259320">refrigerated truck</a> last month in Essex were from Vietnam.

The Essex police worked with Vietnamese police officials to verify the identity of &nbsp;39 people discovered at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/easy-money-and-a-better-life-vietnamese-undeterred-by-uk-truck-tragedy-258963">Grays in Essex</a>&nbsp;on October 23. The lorry trailer was travelling from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Grays, Essex.

The victims included eight women and 31 men.

The Vietnamese embassy in London said it was "in deep sorrow, we would like to convey our profound condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families."

The Vietnamese embassy said it would&nbsp;"provide consular protection and support for the bereaved families in order to bring their loved ones home at the earliest time".

The driver of the lorry, a 25-year-old man who was arrested was charged with 39 offences of manslaughter, money laundering, human trafficking and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

The Essex police also worked with National Crime Agency and European law enforcement officials to identify the bodies in the lorry.

The police had earlier urged Ronan Hughes, 40 and his brother Christopher Hughes, 34 from Northern Ireland on suspicion of manslaughter and human trafficking in connection with the deaths of 39 people.

The police later said Eamon Harrison, 23, from Northern Ireland, was accused of manslaughter and human trafficking and immigration offences. &nbsp;Harrison was remanded in custody until November 11.

The investigation is also underway in Vietnam after police said had held eleven people and summoned others for questioning.

Reports said most of the victims were from central Vietnam who travelled abroad illegally to Europe via Russia.

Vietnam said it "strongly condemns human trafficking and considers it a serious crime", while calling upon other countries in the region and around the world to step up cooperation in combating human trafficking.

British officials had earlier claimed that the migrants may have been from China linking it to another case in 2000 in which 8 Chinese were found dead in a tomato truck at the port of Dover, however, today officials confirmed all the migrants were from in fact from Vietnam.

Police in the UK said today that bodies found in a refrigerated truck last month in Essex were from Vietnam. The Essex police worked with Vietnamese police officials to verify the identity of 39 people discovered at Grays in Essex on October 23.

Police in the UK said today that bodies found in a refrigerated truck last month in Essex were from Vietnam. The Essex police worked with Vietnamese police officials to verify the identity of 39 people discovered at Grays in Essex on October 23. The lorry trailer was travelling from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Grays, Essex. The victims included eight women and 31 men. The Vietnamese embassy in London said it was "in deep sorrow, we would like to convey our profound condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families." The Vietnamese embassy said it would "provide consular protection and support for the bereaved families in order to bring their loved ones home at the earliest time". The driver of the lorry, a 25-year-old man who was arrested was charged with 39 offences of manslaughter, money laundering, human trafficking and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. The Essex police also worked with National Crime Agency and European law enforcement officials to identify the bodies in the lorry. The police had earlier urged Ronan Hughes, 40 and his brother Christopher Hughes, 34 from Northern Ireland on suspicion of manslaughter and human trafficking in connection with the deaths of 39 people. The police later said Eamon Harrison, 23, from Northern Ireland, was accused of manslaughter and human trafficking and immigration offences. Harrison was remanded in custody until November 11. The investigation is also underway in Vietnam after police said had held eleven people and summoned others for questioning. Reports said most of the victims were from central Vietnam who travelled abroad illegally to Europe via Russia. Vietnam said it "strongly condemns human trafficking and considers it a serious crime", while calling upon other countries in the region and around the world to step up cooperation in combating human trafficking. British officials had earlier claimed that the migrants may have been from China linking it to another case in 2000 in which 8 Chinese were found dead in a tomato truck at the port of Dover, however, today officials confirmed all the migrants were from in fact from Vietnam.

39 bodies found in lorry in Essex were Vietnam nationals: UK Police

Police in Greece said 41 migrants were found alive in a refrigerated truck.

The driver of the bus was arrested after the truck was impounded as&nbsp;the migrants were moved to a police station for identification.&nbsp;

The migrants were reportedly of Afghan origin, the police added, while informing that they were in good health with some provided first aid.

Reports said the police had stopped the truck on a highway near the northern Greek city of Xanthi.

The latest incident comes after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-lorry-victims-believed-to-be-vietnamese-uk-police-259383">39 people had died in a similar truck</a> in an industrial estate near London last month. The driver of the bus Maurice Robinson, 25, from Northern Ireland was charged with manslaughter and people trafficking.

The London police had said earlier that those dead were Chinese nationals but later claimed they were believed to be Vietnamese. The victims included eight women and 31 men.

The bodies in the truck were discovered at Purfleet on the River Thames estuary, after arriving on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge

In another incident, 30 migrants from Pakistan have been found hidden in a lorry in southern France. The driver of the lorry also from Pakistan was detained, French prosecutors said as illegal migrant routes in Europe continued to be the focus of authorities.

Post-mortem examinations are being carried out and no formal cause of death has been released.

 
&nbsp;

Police in Greece said 41 migrants were found alive in a refrigerated truck. The driver of the bus was arrested after the truck was impounded as the migrants were moved to a police station for identification.

Police in Greece said 41 migrants were found alive in a refrigerated truck. The driver of the bus was arrested after the truck was impounded as the migrants were moved to a police station for identification. The migrants were reportedly of Afghan origin, the police added, while informing that they were in good health with some provided first aid. Reports said the police had stopped the truck on a highway near the northern Greek city of Xanthi. The latest incident comes after 39 people had died in a similar truck in an industrial estate near London last month. The driver of the bus Maurice Robinson, 25, from Northern Ireland was charged with manslaughter and people trafficking. The London police had said earlier that those dead were Chinese nationals but later claimed they were believed to be Vietnamese. The victims included eight women and 31 men. The bodies in the truck were discovered at Purfleet on the River Thames estuary, after arriving on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge In another incident, 30 migrants from Pakistan have been found hidden in a lorry in southern France. The driver of the lorry also from Pakistan was detained, French prosecutors said as illegal migrant routes in Europe continued to be the focus of authorities. Post-mortem examinations are being carried out and no formal cause of death has been released.

Greek police find 41 migrants in refrigerated truck; driver arrested

Britain launched a major murder investigation after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/39-bodies-found-near-london-in-truck-container-uk-police-257701">39 bodies were found</a> Wednesday in a truck from Bulgaria, as police tried to establish where the victims were originally from.

All victims were pronounced dead at the scene in an industrial park in Grays, east of London, triggering revulsion among politicians and once again putting the spotlight on the shadowy people trafficking business.

The local Essex Police force, who are working with immigration officials, said their priority was to try to identify the victims, thought at this stage to be 38 adults and one teenager.

The truck driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

"This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives," Essex Police chief superintendent Andrew Mariner said in a statement.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/39-bodies-found-in-a-lorry-container-in-essex-257727/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The police said they were alerted by the ambulance service shortly before 1:40am (0040 GMT) following the discovery of a truck container with people inside at the Waterglade Industrial Park.

Officers in white forensic suits could be seen working by the truck and a white tent was erected outside.

Ambulance services said the victims were already dead by the time they arrived.

"We are in the process of identifying the victims. However I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process," said Mariner.

"We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria," he added.

"We have arrested the lorry driver in connection with the incident, who remains in police custody."

The tragedy sparked questions about the route taken by the truck -&nbsp;and whether people trafficking had played a part.

In August 2015, at the peak of Europe's migration crisis, the bodies of 71 migrants including a baby girl were found piled up in the back of a poultry refrigerator lorry left in Austria.

Investigations later revealed they had been transported along the Balkan migrant route and left to suffocate in the back of the truck after the driver dumped the vehicle near the Hungarian border.&nbsp;

The truck discovered on Thursday is left-hand drive, indicating that it was not British or Irish.

Police said it was thought the lorry entered Britain on Saturday at Holyhead on the northwest tip of Wales -- one of the main ports for ferries from Ireland.

The UK and the Republic of Ireland are not in the European Union's no-borders Schengen zone but have their own historic Common Travel Area, meaning there are no checks on the movement of goods or people between the two.

Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association which represents truck drivers in Britain, said: "Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased but whatever the circumstances, it highlights the danger of migrant gangs people-smuggling on lorries."

Jackie Doyle-Price, the MP representing the local Thurrock constituency surrounding Grays, said the news was "sickening".

"People trafficking is a vile and dangerous business," she said.

"Let's hope they bring these murderers to justice."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was receiving regular updates and sent his sympathies to the victims' families.

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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 &amp; their loved ones.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1186936670169587712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I'm appalled by this tragic incident in Essex," he said.

"My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and their loved ones."

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Britain's interior minister, said she was "shocked and saddened".

"Home Office immigration officials will be working closely alongside them to establish how this horrific event came to happen."

Cases of this kind are rare in Britain.

In 2014, staff at the Tilbury container port -- next to Grays -- heard screaming and banging coming from inside a shipping container, and found 34 Afghan Sikhs alive inside suffering from severe dehydration, hypothermia and lack of air.

One man was found dead, having passed away during the sea crossing from Belgium.

In 2000, the bodies of 58 clandestine Chinese immigrants were discovered in a Dutch truck at the British port of Dover. Two people survived.

Britain launched a major murder investigation after 39 bodies were found Wednesday in a truck from Bulgaria, as police tried to establish where the victims were originally from.

Britain launched a major murder investigation after 39 bodies were found Wednesday in a truck from Bulgaria, as police tried to establish where the victims were originally from. All victims were pronounced dead at the scene in an industrial park in Grays, east of London, triggering revulsion among politicians and once again putting the spotlight on the shadowy people trafficking business. The local Essex Police force, who are working with immigration officials, said their priority was to try to identify the victims, thought at this stage to be 38 adults and one teenager. The truck driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. "This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives," Essex Police chief superintendent Andrew Mariner said in a statement. Watch Video: The police said they were alerted by the ambulance service shortly before 1:40am (0040 GMT) following the discovery of a truck container with people inside at the Waterglade Industrial Park. Officers in white forensic suits could be seen working by the truck and a white tent was erected outside. Ambulance services said the victims were already dead by the time they arrived. "We are in the process of identifying the victims. However I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process," said Mariner. "We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria," he added. "We have arrested the lorry driver in connection with the incident, who remains in police custody." The tragedy sparked questions about the route taken by the truck - and whether people trafficking had played a part. In August 2015, at the peak of Europe's migration crisis, the bodies of 71 migrants including a baby girl were found piled up in the back of a poultry refrigerator lorry left in Austria. Investigations later revealed they had been transported along the Balkan migrant route and left to suffocate in the back of the truck after the driver dumped the vehicle near the Hungarian border. The truck discovered on Thursday is left-hand drive, indicating that it was not British or Irish. Police said it was thought the lorry entered Britain on Saturday at Holyhead on the northwest tip of Wales -- one of the main ports for ferries from Ireland. The UK and the Republic of Ireland are not in the European Union's no-borders Schengen zone but have their own historic Common Travel Area, meaning there are no checks on the movement of goods or people between the two. Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association which represents truck drivers in Britain, said: "Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased but whatever the circumstances, it highlights the danger of migrant gangs people-smuggling on lorries." Jackie Doyle-Price, the MP representing the local Thurrock constituency surrounding Grays, said the news was "sickening". "People trafficking is a vile and dangerous business," she said. "Let's hope they bring these murderers to justice." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was receiving regular updates and sent his sympathies to the victims' families. 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. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 23, 2019 × "I'm appalled by this tragic incident in Essex," he said. "My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and their loved ones." Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Britain's interior minister, said she was "shocked and saddened". "Home Office immigration officials will be working closely alongside them to establish how this horrific event came to happen." Cases of this kind are rare in Britain. In 2014, staff at the Tilbury container port -- next to Grays -- heard screaming and banging coming from inside a shipping container, and found 34 Afghan Sikhs alive inside suffering from severe dehydration, hypothermia and lack of air. One man was found dead, having passed away during the sea crossing from Belgium. In 2000, the bodies of 58 clandestine Chinese immigrants were discovered in a Dutch truck at the British port of Dover. Two people survived.

Britain launches murder investigation after 39 bodies found in truck container

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Remains of United Kingdom lorry victims arrive in Vietnam

Driver charged as more Vietnamese feared dead among 39 UK truck victims

39 bodies found in lorry in Essex were Vietnam nationals: UK Police

Greek police find 41 migrants in refrigerated truck; driver arrested

Britain launches murder investigation after 39 bodies found in truck container