Unlimited Digital Access / Get £25 off your Annual Digital Subscription! Use code 25OFF
GET STARTEDMore on KentOnline
Unlimited Digital Access / Get £25 off your Annual Digital Subscription! Use code 25OFF
GET STARTEDMore on KentOnline
A sixth man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in Essex, near the Dartford Crossing.
The 40-year-old man was arrested in Ireland today, in connection to the tragic incident that saw the bodies of the victims found in a refrigerated lorry in October of last year.
In February it was revealed that provisional investigations showed that they died as a result of overheating.
The man, who is from County Armagh in Northern Ireland, has been charged with 39 offences of manslaughter, as well as immigration offences.
He will appear at Dublin's High Court tomorrow.
Last week, 25-year-old Maurice Robinson from Craigavon in Northern Ireland pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey in connection with the incident.
He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property at the same court on Monday November 25.
Another man has been charged with with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the travel of people with a view to exploitation and conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law.
A third man will face 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
And a fourth and fifth have both been charged with conspiring to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-EU person between May 1 2018 and October 24 2019.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith, head of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Our investigation into these matters is ongoing, and we would urge members of the public and the media not to speculate as everyone involved has the right to a fair judicial process.
“This investigation is one of the largest in Essex Police history and we are working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the 23 October 2019 for the sake of the victims and their loved ones.
“We have worked closely with the National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service as well as police and prosecutors in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany and Vietnam.
“We are immensely grateful for the ongoing support for the investigation, and the victims and their families continue to be at the forefront of our thoughts.”
