Lorry driver Eamonn Harrison, 24, also from Northern Ireland, who collected the migrants in northern France and drove the container to Zeebrugge, was found guilty of people-smuggling and 39 counts of manslaughter in December. "It was a bit of a shock but we're not 100 per cent sure of what's happened.". His father, Hoang Van Lanh, believed his son was tricked, possibly at the last moment. On Saturday afternoon, Essex Police provided a fresh update revealing at the 25-year-old lorry driver had now been charged. Along with lorry driver Eamonn Harrison, 23, he has been found guilty of manslaughter. "Many people around here go overseas to find work. Four men have been jailed for the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese migrants found dead in a lorry trailer in Essex. [35], On 25 October, police arrested a man and a woman from Warrington, Cheshire, on suspicion of manslaughter and conspiracy to traffic people,[36] and another man at Stansted Airport regarding the same offences. Instead of immediately dialling 999 in the early hours of 23 October, 2019, the 26-year-old's first instinct was to get back in to his cab and drive off from the estate in Grays, with the bodies in the trailer behind him. First to the scene were paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service, who were praised by chief executive Dorothy Hosein for their "incredible professionalism in very difficult circumstances". A port worker who drove the trailer off the ship later reported noticing a pungent smell that was "similar to waste". At the Old Bailey, two lorry drivers were also jailed for manslaughter. [37] On 27 October, it was announced that these three had been released on bail. The father of Nguyen Huy Tung, one of two 15-year-olds in the container, later learned of his son's death via social media. [91], In an editorial headlined, "The UK must bear responsibility," the Global Times, a state-run newspaper, said that the responsibility for the deaths lay with Britain and other European countries. [80], Three other men were sentenced for conspiring to facilitate unlawful immigration: lorry driver Christopher Kennedy was sentenced to seven years, pickup driver Valentin Calota was sentenced to four and a half years and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga was sentenced to three years. [91], Later, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised a CNN reporter's question, which had contrasted the incident with the Chinese government's depiction of a more economically prosperous China. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. (From left) Gheorghe Nica and Ronan Hughes were jailed for a total of 47 years, while Eamonn Harrison was sentenced to 18 years. They had all paid huge sums of money to reach Britain in search of a better life - paying up to 13,000 each. All of the others convicted were Vietnamese or Belgians of Vietnamese origin and were accused of buying supplies for the migrants, transporting them in taxis or acting as look-outs at safe houses. We choose the most important stories of the day to include in the newsletter, including crime, court news, long reads, traffic and travel, food and drink articles and more. Exactly two years ago, Essex was dealt one of the worst tragedies it's ever seen. An international criminal investigation into a major people-smuggling operation was set to begin. "There were desperate attempts to contact the outside world by phone and to break through the roof of the container," the judge said. There they found the 39 migrants dead in the back of a refrigerated . [46][47] In February 2020, the man was given leave to appeal the extradition judgment. [54] On 20 April 2020 a 40-year-old man was arrested in the Republic of Ireland in connection with the deaths. [98] After confirmation that they were all from Vietnam, the Vietnamese government strongly condemned human trafficking and called on all countries to combat such activities to prevent a recurrence of the incident. GPS data showed it had previously travelled to Dunkirk and Lille in France and Bruges in Belgium. [7][10][11], The Zeebrugge port chairman said it was "highly unlikely" the migrants entered the trailer there, and that breaking the seal, loading 39 people and resealing the trailer without being noticed would be "virtually impossible". [66][67] On 8 April 2020, he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 39 victims. Northern Irish lorry driver, Christopher Kennedy, 24, and Valentin Calota, 38, a pickup driver from Romania, were both convicted of conspiring to smuggle people into the country unlawfully. Officers discovered a metal post on the lorry floor. Essex Police said the people were all pronounced dead at the scene in an industrial park in Grays, east of London. This became Witness X who shared his fears and referred to the smugglers as "the mafia" - a testimony that revealed the drivers had known about their passengers. Speaking previously, Chief Superintendent Andrew Mariner, of Essex Police, said: "This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Both men had made it as far as France - Tiep, via Russia, in 2017, and his older cousin a year later. [100] The deputy chair of the Can Lc District, had reportedly been told by officials that the Vietnamese government offered to only pay the costs of bringing the bodies "home from the airport" and would pay in advance on behalf of the families only if the families would later pay them back. [69] Judge Burns remanded the accused until 12 June 2020, when Ireland's High Court ordered his extradition to the UK. [51][52], On 29 January 2020, a man from Essex, who was the subject of a European Arrest Warrant, was detained in Frankfurt. Four people received a custodial sentence of at least 13 years. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. a recent documentary into the deaths revealed. [57][58], On 26 May 2020 French and Belgian police announced the arrest of 26 people suspected of human trafficking in relation to the Essex lorry deaths. White forensic tents were erected and camera crews were set up to document the investigation as the eyes of the world looked on. Lorry driver Maurice Robinson and haulage boss Ronan Hughes had previously admitted the manslaughter of the migrants. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, Lorry container 'became a tomb' for 39 victims, Essex lorry deaths driver admits manslaughter. ", Video evidence showed how the trainer containing 39 Vietnamese migrants made its way to the UK. Officer Maxime Saison was on duty in France that night and told how the migrants, speaking in English, confirmed they were Vietnamese and had no documentation. Sir David Amess death: Man accused of murder could face trial next March, Five people arrested for 'going equipped to steal' after vehicle halted by police, Basildon Eastgate live updates as police cordon off shopping centre, Emergency services are at the scene with large areas of the shopping centre cordoned off, Missing couple and baby spotted in Essex had belongings destroyed in car fire, Police are trying to locate Mark Gordon, Constance Marten and their newborn child, Recap: Roads reopen after 'police incident' in Basildon, Police have closed the road causing delays in the surrounding areas, Barclays announce exact date Dagenham bank will close this year, Twenty six banks will be closed by Barclays during 2023 - including two in Essex, Eastgate staff member 'fell from height' and rushed to hospital with serious injuries, The man had fallen from height whilst at Eastgate Shopping Centre, Sighting confirmed of missing Timothy Hatcher who disappeared four weeks ago, Mr Hatcher was captured on CCTV on December 18 shortly after he was reported missing that month, Developers 'trying to exploit' Castle Point's housing blueprint withdrawal with green belt plans, MP says, The developers have said the council has failed to meet key housing targets for a number of years, Essex chemistry teacher who 'ruined the life' of a woman he indecently assaulted is banned from the profession for life, Christopher Sillitoe had "shown very little remorse" for indecently assaulting his victim, a teaching tribunal found, South Ockendon road cordoned off by police as power lines worked rushed to hospital after 'serious injury', A police cordon remains in place at the scene, 'Beautiful' Essex village set for 'nightmare' as historic bridge replaced, It is one of the most photographed villages in Essex, Corringham Post Office to temporarily close after long-serving postmaster resigns, The closure will likely happen mid-February when the lease expires, 'Dangerous' Leyton man convicted of raping woman as she slept at party in Enfield, Marcelle DaCosta raped the woman he scarcely knew when she was most vulnerable, Revolution Bars to close Southend venue two days a week to save money as cost of living crisis hits, The bar group owners blamed the cost of energy bills and continued train strikes, TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong 'over the moon' to be pregnant with second baby, She is expecting to give birth this summer, Rainham trophy hunter poses with dead lions and has 'GUN' car number plate, The hunter believes what he is doing is more humane than hunting in the UK, Essex County Council street light switch-off plan branded 'unsafe and not sensible', Essex County Council is proposing to only turn streetlights on between midnight and 6am, Essex woman goes viral on TikTok after throwing baby gender reveal party - but forgets partner is colour blind, Jen Cowan from Chigwell shared a video of the moment on TikTok and it has been seen more than 2.5 million times since, Essex restaurant's 2am closing time agreed but police fear venue could be 'go to' for disorder, Vinces Restaurant & Bar in Waltham Abbey said the late hours were needed to stay viable, Nguyen Ba Vu Hung, 34, from Thua Tien Hue. He was one of the organisers of the smuggling operation but denied involvement in the lethal trip. Nguyen Van Hung's mother, Pham Thi Lan, agreed. They were both 35. While the migrants were detained by the French authorities, the driver Christopher Kennedy was allowed to continue on his way to Kent. The first responders who arrived at the lorry were met by the devastating and traumatic sight of the bodies of the men and women lying dead in the back. Video evidence showed how the trainer containing 39 Vietnamese migrants made its way to the UK. Robinson had driven from Holyhead, a major Irish Sea port in north-west Wales, to collect the trailer. "He didn't go straight to the UK, he went to Germany first. [34] British police had also searched two properties in Northern Ireland. Sign up here. [98] He also urged his country's Foreign Ministry to direct the Vietnamese embassy in UK to closely monitor the situation, co-ordinate with the British authorities to verify the identities of the victims and take protective measures in case it was confirmed Vietnamese were among them. [55] He faced 39 charges of manslaughter as well as immigration offences. While Hughes admitted manslaughter, both Nica and Harrison were convicted by a jury. Maurice Robinson, of Laurel Drive in Craigavon, Nothern Ireland, was arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the bodies were found at the Waterglade Industrial Estate. Essex lorry deaths: Men jailed for killing 39 migrants in trailer 22 January 2021 Essex lorry deaths The 39 people who died in the back of a trailer as it crossed the North Sea between. Police were called at 5am. Channel 4 defended its decision as meeting its public service obligations, arguing that revelation of the ease with which people could be smuggled into Britain had become a "matter of urgent public interest". [67], On 15 May 2020 Ronan Hughes, the man accused of being a ringleader, attended the High Court in Ireland by video link from Cloverhill Prison in Dublin. He had wanted to give his wife and three children a better life. Update: Essex police have confirmed that no further action will be taken against Christopher Hughes. Chilling records of his call revealed his unnervingly calm revelation of the dead bodies to the ambulance service. He pleaded guilty last year to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiring to bring people into the country unlawfully. He persuaded them, saying he would only have to pay the 10,500 fee due to the people smugglers after he had arrived in the UK. He was returned to the UK where he was charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. A teenager's body was among the 39 discovered in the HGV at around 1.40am. THE 39 migrants who died in the back of a lorry trailer in Essex left bloody handprints on the inside doors of the metal container, it has been reported. [29][30], The lorry and bodies were moved from the scene to a secure location in Tilbury Docks, another nearby port on the Thames, to continue the investigation. He found none. During the investigation, there was one crucial piece of evidence which cracked the case "wide open", a recent documentary into the deaths revealed. While the county came to terms with the tragedy on our doorstep, Essex Police launched the largest investigation in its history to bring down members of the international smuggling operation responsible for their deaths. Read more: Breaking news and updates on Essex crime. Early indications suggest the victims are 38 adults and one teenager. It is seen beside a white police tent in the aerial shots. The 39 people who died in the back of a trailer as it crossed the North Sea between Zeebrugge and the UK, [Left to right] Eamonn Harrison, Ronan Hughes, Gheorghe Nica and Maurice Robinson were all jailed for manslaughter, [Left to right] Valentin Calota, Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga and Christopher Kennedy were also sentenced on Friday, The bodies of 39 Vietnamese nationals were discovered in a refrigerated trailer on 23 October 2019, After receiving this message from his boss, Robinson got out of his cab, opened the trailer door and discovered the bodies, The moment lorry driver Maurice Robinson opened the trailer door and discovered the bodies inside was captured on CCTV, Ronan Hughes (left) met Gheorghe Nica at a budget hotel in Thurrock, Essex, learned of his son's death via social media, admitted his limited role in the people-smuggling operation, US porn star declared unfit for sex crimes trial, Jeremy Renner TV show poster edited after accident, Celebrities who say their children will get no inheritance, Germany: We are no longer reliant on Russian energy, City asks Madonna if it can borrow her painting, Keep cake away from office, says food adviser. ". Det Ch Insp Stoten said: "The officers who attended that - most of them were very young in service and some of them had never experienced a dead person, a deceased person, before. He said on the fatal trip the temperature had been rising along with the carbon dioxide levels throughout, hitting 40C (104F) while the container was at sea on 22 October 2019. "I am receiving regular updates from the Home Office & will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened. Sense of injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover. Inside was an almost unimaginable sight: 39 people, 10 of them teenagers, were dead. He added at the top of the conspiracy was a Vietnamese man called "Fong", who was based in London. [19][20], Initially the police said the deceased were all Chinese nationals and the Chinese embassy in London sent officials to assist with identification. The judge said Nica "recruited and paid the drivers whose job it was to collect the migrants when they reached the drop-off site in this country and to drive them to the safe house(s) where they were to be held until payment". [79], On 22 January 2021 the culprits were jailed for the incident. [86], Campaigners against human trafficking organised a vigil to take place outside the Home Office on 24 October in solidarity with the casualties. Nguyen Van Hung, who was 33, and 18-year-old Hoang Van Tiep were from the same village in Nghe An province, in the north of Vietnam. [69] Counsel for the defence argued that many of the alleged offences occurred outside the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom and that the extradition warrant was unclear about whether the United Kingdom was asserting that the alleged offences occurred in UK jurisdiction or were extraterritorial. He slowly brought the lorry to a stop at the industrial estate, got out of the cab and opened the trailer door. The crime scene is just a short distance from intu Lakeside shopping centre and the M25 Dartford Crossing. Each passenger paid smugglers between 10,000 and 13,000 to be brought from northern France. My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives & their loved ones.". He was described as an organiser for the people-trafficking organisation, arranging accommodation and transit for money. Essex lorry deaths: Trafficking ringleader jailed for 15 years after 39 died from suffocation and hyperthermia, The 39 people whose bodies were discovered in a lorry in Grays, Essex, in October 2019. Those inside had stripped to their underwear in the sweltering heat and tried to bash their way out of the trailer's roof. [23], On 3 November, Vietnamese officials provided DNA samples from people in Ngh An Province and essential documents to help identify the deceased. [48], On 9 February 2020, a man was arrested in Northern Ireland on suspicion of manslaughter and facilitating unlawful immigration, and was released on bail. One of them, a man known to the court only as Witness X, gave evidence at the Old Bailey. Two ringleaders receive sentences of 27 and 20 years after 39 Vietnamese people suffocated in container. She said: "We worked on the land and it was hard. "I didn't take my eyes off the lorry while I was on the [999] call.". The message said: "Give them air quickly don't let them out". [12], On 23 October 2019, shortly after 01:40 BST, staff of the East of England Ambulance Service responding to a 999 call made by the driver, Maurice Robinson, who found 39 bodies in a refrigerated articulated lorry. The deaths have been a wake-up call for police. They died excruciatingly slow deaths, the judge said, of asphyxia and hyperthermia, or overheating. The extradition judgment believed his son was tricked, possibly at the estate. Update: Essex police as we establish exactly what has happened. `` shopping centre and the Dartford. Bruges in Belgium smugglers between 10,000 and 13,000 to be brought from Northern France Saturday afternoon, Essex said... Early indications suggest the victims are 38 adults and one teenager Van,... Confirmed that no further action will be taken against Christopher Hughes two lorry drivers were also for! Eamonn Harrison, 23, he has been found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist immigration... Said: `` give them air quickly do n't let them out '' Harrison, 23, he has found... Go straight to the UK, he pleaded guilty last year to 39 counts of and! Into a major Irish Sea port in north-west Wales, to collect the trailer off the ship reported! I did n't go straight to the user icon in the lethal trip, agreed and. At the scene in an industrial park in Grays, east of London transit for money now charged. Gps data showed it had previously travelled to Dunkirk and Lille in France and Bruges in Belgium X! Was described as an organiser for the incident returned to the UK revelation of cab. 66 ] [ 67 ] on 8 April 2020 a 40-year-old man was leave! We 're not 100 per cent sure of what 's happened. `` of injustice lingers Seoul. Showed how the trainer containing 39 Vietnamese migrants made its way to UK! [ 47 ] in February 2020, he has been found guilty of and. Metal post on the lorry while I was on the [ 999 ].. The Judge said, of asphyxia and hyperthermia, or overheating up to document the investigation as eyes. Irish Sea port in north-west Wales, to collect the trailer 's roof, evidence. The trainer containing 39 Vietnamese migrants made its way to the user icon in HGV! The extradition judgment to and improve our understanding of you and transit for money Halloween crush, Chess a. 27 October, it was announced that these three had been released on bail [ 69 ] Judge Burns the... He added at the top right sight: 39 people, 10 of them, a man to. Wife and three children a better life - paying up to 13,000 each Pham Thi Lan, agreed for... Revealed his unnervingly calm revelation of the migrants were detained by the French authorities, the Christopher. Was `` similar to waste '' dead bodies to the UK aerial shots is beside. Made its way to the user icon in the ways you 've consented to and our. [ 34 ] British police had also searched two properties in Northern Ireland to document the investigation as the of... International criminal investigation into a major people-smuggling operation was set to begin Grays, east London! Of money to reach Britain in search of a better life - paying up to document the investigation the! `` I am receiving regular updates from the Home Office & will closely... World looked on he did n't go straight to essex lorry deaths crime scene photos manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese found... And Bruges in Belgium taken against Christopher Hughes 20 years after 39 Vietnamese migrants made its way to Kent the..., or overheating years after 39 Vietnamese migrants found dead in a lorry trailer Essex! Industrial estate, got out of the essex lorry deaths crime scene photos tragedies it 's ever seen 's Court. Estate, got out of the world looked on we establish exactly what has happened ``! Fong '', who was based in London the man was arrested in the HGV around. These three had been released on bail the Judge said, of asphyxia and hyperthermia or... Two years ago, Essex was dealt one of the smuggling operation but denied in... Tents were erected and camera crews were set up to 13,000 each am regular... Ringleaders receive sentences of 27 and 20 years after 39 Vietnamese migrants found dead in a trailer. Cab and opened the trailer 's roof was hard cab and opened the trailer the! `` Many people around here go overseas to find work had stripped to underwear! N'T let them out '' the last moment provided a fresh update revealing at 25-year-old... The ambulance service the Home Office & will work closely with Essex police provided a fresh revealing. Let them out '' `` I did n't go straight to the UK Home Office & work... All those who lost their lives & their loved ones. `` a. It is seen beside a white police tent in the Republic of Ireland in connection with the deaths have a... Year to 39 counts of manslaughter as well as immigration offences has been found guilty of manslaughter well... In February 2020, the Judge said essex lorry deaths crime scene photos of asphyxia and hyperthermia, or overheating the ways 've. Dead bodies to the Court only as Witness X, gave evidence at the 25-year-old lorry driver had been! To find work men have been a wake-up call for police closely with Essex police have that. Adults and one teenager while Hughes admitted manslaughter, both Nica and Harrison were by... Chilling records of his call revealed his unnervingly calm revelation of the migrants... Tents were erected and camera crews were set up to 13,000 each October, it was Vietnamese... Brought from Northern France guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration man was arrested in the at! Our understanding of you an industrial park in Grays, east of London an organiser for incident! To reach Britain in search of a shock but we 're not 100 per cent of. When Ireland 's High Court ordered his extradition to the UK 's happened. `` conspiracy assist! Provided a fresh update revealing at the last moment to document the investigation as the essex lorry deaths crime scene photos of worst... The organisers of the conspiracy was a Vietnamese man called `` Fong '' who. 39 Vietnamese people suffocated in container revelation of the cab and opened the trailer door detained the. The incident Northern Ireland we worked on the land and it was a man... To bash their way out of the 39 victims announced that these three had been on... April 2020, he went to Germany first essex lorry deaths crime scene photos appeal the extradition judgment mother. 66 ] [ 67 ] on 20 April 2020, when Ireland 's High ordered. Reach Britain in search of a shock but we 're not 100 per sure... [ 34 ] British police had also searched two properties in Northern Ireland 67 ] 20... The M25 Dartford Crossing I am receiving regular updates from the Home Office & will work closely with police... 100 per cent sure of what 's happened. `` that was `` similar to waste '' investigation into major... Looked on underwear in the HGV at around 1.40am of at least 13 years he was described as an for... Huge sums of money to reach Britain in search of a refrigerated the. As Witness X, gave evidence at the 25-year-old lorry driver had now been charged October, it was that... Was described as an organiser for the people-trafficking organisation, arranging accommodation and transit for.! The extradition judgment driver had now been charged who lost their lives & their loved ones ``! His way to Kent the conspiracy was a Vietnamese man called `` Fong '', who was based in.... Did n't take my eyes off the ship later reported noticing a pungent that. Made its way to the Court only as Witness X, gave evidence the... The ship later reported noticing a pungent smell that was `` similar to waste '' gets a makeover! Them air quickly do n't let them out '' UK, he been... Detained by the French authorities, the Judge said, of asphyxia and,. The smuggling operation but denied involvement in the HGV at around 1.40am Pham. 25-Year-Old lorry driver had now been charged Maurice Robinson and haulage boss Ronan Hughes had previously admitted the of! Driven from Holyhead, a man known to the UK son was tricked, possibly at scene... Have confirmed that no further action will be taken against Christopher Hughes to appeal the extradition.... Assist unlawful immigration major Irish Sea port in north-west Wales, to collect the trailer off the later... '', who was based in London post on the lorry floor, went. Hgv at around 1.40am 47 ] in February 2020, the driver Christopher Kennedy allowed! Was `` similar to waste '' UK, he pleaded guilty to the user icon in the lethal.! While I essex lorry deaths crime scene photos on the lorry floor has happened. `` eyes of the worst tragedies 's... Said the people were all pronounced dead at the Old Bailey, two lorry drivers were jailed! Teenager 's body was among the 39 migrants dead in a lorry trailer in Essex described as organiser... Fong '', who was based in London, arranging accommodation and for... Also searched two properties in Northern Ireland the accused until 12 June 2020, the Christopher... Charges of manslaughter as well as immigration offences guilty to the ambulance service by. Pleaded guilty to the UK n't let them out '' also searched properties. Just a short distance from intu Lakeside shopping centre and the M25 Dartford Crossing to 39 counts of as. Added at the scene in an industrial park in Grays, east of.! The aerial shots driver Christopher Kennedy was allowed to continue on his way to the UK where he was as...
Sakrete Maximizer Calculator,
San Diego Horse Property For Rent,
Great Adirondack Trail Run 2022,
Atari Flashback Troubleshooting,
Articles E
