Suspected of many Nghe An victims in container containing 39 bodies in UK

On the morning of October 26, many people visited the house of Nguyen Dinh Tu (26 years old) in Phu Xuan hamlet, Do Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district. Inside, there were many sobbing sounds, Tu's 25-year-old wife fainted many times in front of the hastily set up altar.

His family believes that Tu was one of the 39 bodies discovered in a container in England 3 days ago, so this morning they set up an altar to pay their respects to him. The police were also present at Tu's father's house, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Sat, to collect information.

The altar of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tu. Photo: Tien Hung

Talking to Nghe An Newspaper reporter, the 68-year-old man said that Tu is his youngest son, before Tu there are 4 older brothers and sisters. After finishing high school, Tu joined the army and then returned to his hometown to get married.

In March this year, like many other young people in the commune, Tu decided to go to Europe to work. After spending more than 70 million VND, he was sent to the Eastern European country of Romania. After working in this country for a short time, Tu went to Germany.

Thinking that he would earn more in England, Tu then decided to go to the island nation illegally. “Tu’s father-in-law has been in England for many years. He contacted a hotline to help him get his son-in-law there,” a relative of Tu told reporters.

To go to England, like everyone else, Tu had to spend 11,000 pounds. His family said that the last time they contacted him, he said he was in France, preparing to cross the sea to England. However, on October 22, they lost contact.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Sat (middle) provided information to the police. Photo: Tien Hung

“The reason we lost hope and confirmed that Tu was one of the 39 bodies was because someone there confirmed it,” said Mr. Nguyen Duc Da, Tu’s uncle. This person said that after hearing the news that the container containing 39 bodies was discovered, his family was convinced that he had an accident. However, they later contacted the “line” but could not reach him. Yesterday, the “line” called back and said that “80% of Tu was in that fateful container.”

Because his father-in-law and Tu had never met, his family sent him photos and provided some identification information. “His father-in-law then sent him photos and some identification information about Tu, such as a tattoo on his chest, to ask someone to confirm. This morning, he called back to confirm that Tu's body was definitely there,” said Mr. Da.

The family refused to reveal the "network" that brought Tu to the UK, but said that among the 39 bodies, there were many victims from Nghe An.

Mr. Tuan said that his son has been out of contact for 4 days. Photo: Tien Hung

Not far from Tu's house, the house of Le Van Ha (30 years old, Yen Hoi hamlet, Do Thanh commune) also had many visitors. Talking to reporters, Ha's father, Mr. Le Tuan, said that, up to now, the family still hopes that he is not in that container. "The last time he called his wife, he said he was in France, preparing to go to England. But after that, we lost contact until now," Mr. Tuan said.

This man said that about 3 months ago, Ha borrowed money to go to Europe to work. "It started from Tan Son Nhat airport, then went to Malaysia, then to Türkiye, Greece and then to France, costing 22,000 USD", Mr. Tuan said and added that, in France, Ha continued to spend 11,000 British pounds to be taken to England.

“I don’t know who he did it through, and now I don’t know who to call for information. Meanwhile, to have money, the family had to mortgage two land books to borrow money from the bank to send their child abroad,” said Mr. Tuan.

Also in Do Thanh commune, in addition to these two cases, another family is also very confused because their 19-year-old daughter has been missing for 4 days. This girl lost contact while crossing the border to England to work... This morning, Do Thanh commune also assigned officials to visit each household to inquire and collect information.

Do Thanh is one of the richest communes in Nghe An. The commune's main source of income is labor export. Currently, this commune has about 1,500 people working abroad, mainly in Europe. However, the actual number may be much larger. Of these, nearly 1,000 Do Thanh children are living in England and Germany.

Earlier on the morning of October 23, Northern Irish driver Mo Robinson, 25, discovered 39 dead people when he opened the container door at the Waterglade Industrial Park. British police have so far arrested Robinson and two suspects on charges of manslaughter and human trafficking.

The container contained 39 bodies.

British authorities are examining the bodies of the victims for identification purposes and say the picture of the case could change as it progresses. Forensic experts will examine clothing, jewelry, passports, identification documents and other elements for clues.

Essex Police initially believed the victims, 31 men and eight women, were all Chinese, but authorities are investigating the possibility that victims of other nationalities may also be involved.

In Ha Tinh, Mr. Pham Van Thin sent a petition to the People's Committee of Nghen town, Can Loc, Ha Tinh, stating that it was possible that his daughter Pham Thi Tra My was one of the 39 victims in the container truck. Relatives said that before she went missing, Tra My texted her mother saying "I'm dying because I can't breathe."