Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 26 asked the Ministries of Public Security, and Foreign Affairs to quickly examine related information concerning a case in which 39 immigrants found dead in a refrigerated truck in Essex, the UK on October 23. 
Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP
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The ministries need to work with authorities in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh and related agencies to verify the case and have solutions in accordance with Vietnamese and international law, local media quoted the PM.
Investigations must be taken to find out whether there are human smuggling rings organizing illegal immigration, the PM noted.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to ask the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK to cooperate with British agencies to verify the victims and quickly take citizen protection measures if any victim is identified as Vietnamese nationals.
The related agencies are required to report to the PM prior to November 5.
Shortly after the deaths found in Essex, some families in Ha Tinh province reported to local authorities that their children were on way to the UK for work and they have lost contact with them for several days, both local and media reported.
The scene in Essex, the UK where a truck container contains 39 deaths. Photo: Reuters
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Initially, the victims are believed to be Chinese but no confirmation has been made then.
Police in Essex said “This is the largest mass fatality victim identification process in the history of Essex Police.” They said the investigations are on the way and the identification might be a “lengthy process”.
Victims are identified where possible, by at least one of the primary identification methods which are dental comparison, fingerprints and DNA. Other, secondary, identification features are also taken into consideration, such as tattoos and scars. Supporting information to consider can include jeweler, clothing or property, they said.
Essex Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said in a statement: “I strongly urge journalists and people on social media not to speculate about the identities of those involved or the circumstances surrounding this investigation.”
“I would also like to make an appeal to anyone living illegally in this country, who could help our investigation. Please come forward and speak to us without fear. I can assure you that your information will be received in strictest confidence and no criminal action will be taken against you," she said.
