Essex murder probe: 39 bodies including one teenager found in lorry container from Bulgaria

Jason Collie|Jacob Jarvis23 October 2019
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A murder investigation has been launched after the bodies of 39 people were found in a lorry container in Essex.

Police were called to the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays at 1.40am today by paramedics.

The victims, found in the container believed to be from Bulgaria, are thought to be 38 adults and one teenager.

Chief Superintendent for Essex Police Andrew Mariner said the lorry driver - a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland - had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He added: "This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened.

"We are in the process of identifying the victims, however I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process.

"We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead on Saturday, October 19 October and we are working closely with our partners to investigate.

"We have arrested the lorry driver in connection with the incident who remains in police custody as our enquiries continue. I appreciate this cordon is going to disrupt the activity of local businesses in the area and we will work to ensure that disruption is kept as short as possible."

At a later press conference at Grays police station, deputy chief constable Pippa Mills said police were unable to identify the bodies.

She said: “Please appreciate we are in the early stages of what is likely to be a lengthy investigation.”

39 Bodies found in a container at Waterglade Industrial Park, Grays

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A heavy police presence is at the scene and workers nearby have spoken of their shock.

Images show the red and white articulated lorry within the cordon, as forensic officers in white suits inspect the scene.

A forensics officer inside the cab of the lorry at the scene
PA

Two tents have been set up within the shut off area, while there are police vehicles surrounding the site.

A forensics officer was seen going inside the cab of the lorry, which has the words "the ultimate dream" printed on its windscreen and a dreamcatcher above the driver's seat.

Forensics officers by a tent at the scene
Jeremy Selwyn

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed it sent five ambulances to the scene and the 39 people had died prior to their arrival.

It has not confirmed what it was called to before staff were sent to the scene.

Police were called to the scene by paramedics
Sky News

Lee Andrews, branch manager at a GFS Car Parts at the industrial park, said that he was unable to get into work this morning when he found it cordoned off with "loads of police" in the area.

He told the Standard: "I tried to get into work this morning and our unit was shut off.

"It was just cordoned off, boarded right across the road. Loads and loads of police there.

"I'm seriously shocked.

"It's heartbreaking. It's so sad it's happened."

Police have arrested a man in connection to the incident
Sky News

Another man working in the area told the Standard there were police vehicles at the scene and officers in the area.

He said he could not see what they were doing due to a large cordon in place and added he had noticed nothing suspicious in the area in recent days.

Paige Wade was driving past the industrial park at 4.15am on the way home from work.

Forensics officers are inspecting the area
Sky News

She told the PA news agency: "I honestly didn't see much, I had just finished work while driving up Motherwell Way and all you could see was blue flashing lights, as I was driving past there was police tape to cordon off the start of eastern avenue.

"I knew it was serious because of how many police cars and ambulances were there, but the police had parked their cars across the whole access of the road so you couldn't see anything.

"There's always lorries around there as they park up there for the night, I couldn't say whether I did or didn't see the actual lorry in question."

 A large cordon is in place at the scene
Sky News

While a restaurant worker in the industrial estate, who did not want to be named, said: "There's a lot of police and forensics.

"We've just seen what has been said online. It's awful.

"We thought maybe someone had broken into a lorry, but it's just awful."

Officers by a truck within the cordon this morning
PA

Dan Peters, from a hydraulic maintenance company on the industrial estate where the bodies were found, said it was “terrible” news.

“We’re not able to gain access to our units to open up for daily business,” the Pirtek managing director said.

Forensics officers are at the scene
Getty Images

“Obviously, it’s terrible news.”

Jackie Doyle-Price, MP for Thurrock, wrote on Twitter that it was "sickening news" and called for "justice".

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Shocked & saddened by this utterly tragic incident in Grays. Essex Police has arrested an individual and we must give them the space to conduct their investigations."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is "appalled" and that his thoughts are with those who lost their lives.

He tweeted: "I'm appalled by this tragic incident in Essex.

"I am receiving regular updates and the Home Office will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened.

"My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives & their loved ones."

The Standard has contacted the Home Office for comment.

The National Crime Agency has deployed officers to help with the investigation.

A statement said: "We are aware of this tragic incident which is now the subject of a murder investigation being led by Essex Police and we have deployed NCA officers to assist.

"We are working with partners including Essex Police and Immigration Enforcement to provide specialist support to urgently identify and take action against any organised crime groups who might have played a role in causing these deaths."

A spokeswoman for police in Bulgaria confirmed they were aware of the incident, but said British officers were leading the investigation.

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