Essex lorry deaths: Man from Northern Ireland arrested in connection with 39 migrant deaths

A 23-year-old man from Northern Ireland has been arrested in connection with the deaths of 39 migrants found dead in a lorry container in Essex.

A spokesman for Essex Police said the man was arrested in the early hours of Friday on the M40 in Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire.

The force said: “A 23-year-old man from Northern Ireland was arrested by officers from Thames Valley Police on behalf of Essex Police in the early hours of this morning on the M40 in Beaconsfield in connection with our enquiry into the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals in a lorry trailer found in Grays.

“He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and remains in custody.”

The discovery of the 39 Vietnamese nationals sparked the largest murder case in Essex Police's history last month.

The lorry was found at Waterglade Industrial Park on Eastern Avenue in Grays, Thurrock, after police received reports at 1.40am on October 23.

Ambulance staff found all 39 victims, including a young woman, dead inside the container.

More follows…