British police ask Vietnamese people to help identify 39 bodies in container
British police did not confirm the victims' nationality as Vietnamese and did not rule out the possibility that the victims came from many other countries.
At a press conference on the evening of October 26, Essex Police Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore said that all 39 bodies had been found.transferred to Broomfield Hospital, and requested assistance from members of the Vietnamese community in the UK and overseas to identify the 39 victims.
Responding to reporters' questions, Mr. Martin Pasmore said that it was impossible to rule out the possibility that there were other nationalities involved in the incident. However, his office received information mostly from Vietnamese people who were concerned that their relatives and friends might be among the unfortunate victims.
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| Mr. Martin Pasmore, Chief Inspector of Essex Police, UK. Photo: Reuters |
“Because they have arrived in the UK, we will do everything we can, firstly to identify them as soon as possible to help identify their next of kin. Secondly, we will bring them home. We will have to do it step by step, because there are many issues involved, including diplomatic issues. However, we want to stress that we are trying to identify the victims so that we can bring them back to their families as soon as possible,” said Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore.
Essex Police, where the container containing the 39 bodies was found, said they are working closely with other authorities to expand their investigation into the possible involvement of transnational organised crime gangs in the case.
On October 26, many British people lit candles to pray for the unfortunate victims. According to British media, prayer services took place in the capital London, Brighton and Belfast. Meanwhile, Essex county officials expressed their condolences in a condolence book. Local people also laid flowers at the entrance to the Waterglade industrial park./.
