Oct 23, 2019

39 people found dead in truck container in southern England

Jacob Knutson

Forensic officers stand in front of the truck in which 39 bodies were discovered. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images

British police have launched a murder investigation after 39 people were found dead in a truck container outside of London, the BBC reports.

Why it matters: The incident highlights the perils that some migrants willingly accept when traveling to Europe. Essex police said they believe the vehicle originated in Bulgaria and entered the U.K. through the Welsh port of Holyhead on Saturday, raising the possibility that it first traveled through Ireland.

One victim was a teenager and the rest were adults. There were no survivors. The identities of the victims are unknown.
Police arrested the driver of the truck, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, on suspicion of murder.

What they're saying: Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "I know that the thoughts and prayers of all members will be with those who lost their lives and their loved ones," according to the BBC.

Irish Premier Leo Varadkar said the deaths were a "human tragedy", adding that investigations would be undertaken to establish if the truck had passed through Ireland.

Go deeper: Europe's biggest refugee camp overflows as migration surges again

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39 people found dead in truck container in southern England

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