A murder investigation has been launched after 39 bodies were discovered inside a Bulgarian-registered lorry on an industrial estate in Grays, Essex. The driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Local sources have named him as Mo Robinson from Portadown, County Armagh.
The victims, all adults except for one teenager, were found at the Waterglade industrial park shortly before 1:40am on Wednesday after the ambulance service alerted police. The trailer of the lorry is believed to have travelled from Zeebrugge to Purfleet, arriving shortly after 12:30am, while the tractor unit originated in Northern Ireland.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the truck was registered in Varna, Bulgaria, under a company owned by an Irish citizen. The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, stated that Home Office immigration officials are working with police, and the National Crime Agency is investigating whether organised crime groups were involved.
Chief Superintendent Andrew Mariner of Essex Police described the incident as tragic and said identifying the victims would be a lengthy process. The driver remains in custody as inquiries continue. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was 'appalled' by the incident, and Patel expressed shock and sadness.
