Official information from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK about the case of 39 bodies

Immediately after British police announced that there were Vietnamese citizens among the victims of the 39 bodies found in a truck in the UK, the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK issued a press release.

Police investigating at the scene discovered 39 bodies in a shipping container at the Waterglade Industrial Park, Essex, UK, October 23, 2019. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

Here is the text of the announcement:

"The Embassy is deeply saddened by the initial findings of Essex Police that among the victims killed in the lorry on 23 October 2019 in Essex, UK, there may be Vietnamese citizens.

The specific identification of the victims needs to be carried out and confirmed by the relevant authorities in Vietnam and the UK. We would like to send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK will work closely with relevant Vietnamese and UK authorities to assist the families of Vietnamese victims (if any) to bring the victims' bodies back to Vietnam.

We strongly condemn the inhumane actions of illegal immigrant traffickers, which have caused tragedy for the victims and their families.

Vietnam will work closely with the UK to bring the criminals to justice and seek effective measures to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

If you have any requests for consular protection, please contact the Vietnamese Embassy in London via the citizen protection hotline +44 7713181501 or the Citizen Protection Call Center at the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs +84981848484"./.