Ministry of Public Security begins investigation into Essex truck deaths

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Regarding a case in which 39 people were found dead in a container at Waterglade industrial park in Essex on October 23, the Ministry of Public Security assigned the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order to send a working group to Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces to investigate and verify the news on the loss of contact with some Vietnamese working in France when they went to the UK.

The Ministry is working to find out any individuals or organizations which have involved in illegally sending Vietnamese people abroad. 

Earlier, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc tasked the Ministry of Public Security to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People’s Committees of Nghe An and Ha Tinh, relevant localities and agencies to verify the case in accordance with the laws of Viet Nam and international laws. He also asked the Ministry to strictly deal with violations in line with regulations.

He tasked the Foreign Ministry to direct the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK to work with local agencies in identifying the victims and carrying out citizen protection measures if needed.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK has said it is ready to take citizen protection measures if any of the 39 people found dead in a container are confirmed to be from Viet Nam. 

The embassy had a working session with the British crime prevention agency and Essex police on October 25 and then visited the site where the container was found. The two sides agreed to closely work together and exchange information during the investigation and victim identification processes. The embassy has set up a channel for direct liaison and collaboration with Essex police. 

To receive assistance related to the case, people can contact the Vietnamese embassy via its hotline for assisting overseas Vietnamese at  44 7713 181501 or Viet Nam’s citizen protection hotline at  84981 8484 84./.

By Hoang Ha