Prime Minister directs clarification of information related to 39 bodies in container in UK

On the afternoon of October 26, the Government Office sent a dispatch to the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committees of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces regarding information related to the 39 people who died in a container in the UK.

In this dispatch, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assigned the Ministry of Public Security to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Committees of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, localities and relevant agencies to urgently verify and clarify the case to take appropriate handling measures in accordance with Vietnamese law and international law; investigate and detect cases of illegal emigration of Vietnamese citizens abroad, and strictly handle violations.

Nghe An police (right) work with the family of a person who lost contact while crossing the border to the UK on October 22. Photo: Tien Hung

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to direct the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK to closely monitor the situation, coordinate closely, and work with relevant UK agencies to confirm the identity of the victims in case they are Vietnamese citizens (if any), and implement citizen protection measures as prescribed. Ministries and localities must urgently carry out the above tasks and report to the Prime Minister before November 5, 2019.

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. British authorities are examining the victims' bodies to serve the identification process and said the picture of the case could change during this process. Forensic experts will observe clothing, jewelry, passports, identity documents and other elements to collect relevant clues.

The altar of Nguyen Dinh Tu, one of the people suspected to be in the container in the UK. Photo: Tien Hung

Many families in Nghe An and Ha Tinh believe that their relatives were in this container. Some have sent petitions to the authorities to report the incident. Many families have also contacted the human trafficking network to the UK and asked people to confirm. From these information channels, they have set up altars in their hometowns to worship the unfortunate victims. Although up to now, British police said that the nationality of these 39 bodies has not been determined.