The PSNI is assisting Essex Police in its murder investigation following the discovery of 39 bodies in a lorry container.
Police were called to Waterglad Industrial Park - around 20 miles east of London - at around 1.40am this morning by the ambulance service following the discovery of the container.
Essex Police said all 39 people - including one teenager - were pronounced dead at the scene.
The 25-year-old lorry driver who is from Northern Ireland has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The PSNI has confirmed it is supporting Essex Police in its investigation:
The PSNI is supporting Essex Police in its investigation into the murder of 39 people.
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) October 23, 2019
In a statement released at 4pm today, Essex Police said: "Originally, we reported that the lorry had travelled into the country through Holyhead on Saturday 19 October.
"After further enquiries, we now believe that the trailer travelled from Zeebrugge into Purfleet, and docked in the Thurrock area shortly after 12.30am this morning.
"The tractor unit of the lorry is believed to have originated in Northern Ireland."
A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour has said they have not been asked to investigate whether the lorry came from their port.
"We are aware of the tragic event reported this morning in Essex," a spokesman said.
"At this time, Belfast Harbour Police has not been asked to investigate; Essex Police is investigating and leading inquiries.
"We are available to provide any assistance that may be required to support the investigation and our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives."
Eric Van Duyse, a spokesman for the Belgian federal prosecutor's office, said: "The prosecutor has this afternoon launched an investigation."
He said that the investigation would seek to establish whether the trailer travelled through Belgium, adding: "It seems that the lorry has been shipped from the port of Zeebrugge."
"These two elements have to be checked out, for there to be an inquiry, because we have just had information to say that this has happened but the inquiry has to establish whether this has happened or not.
"We have no idea at the moment how long the lorry spent in Belgium, it could be hours or days, we just don't know.
"We have got a good relationship with the justice and police office of Great Britain ... but we have not a lot of information at this moment."
Read More:
- Man from Northern Ireland arrested as 39 bodies found in Essex lorry container
- Leo Varadkar pledges inquiry if Essex lorry carrying 39 bodies passed through Republic
Such a sad sight as the lorry in which 39 people were found dead in Essex is driven away from the scene for further forensic examination. pic.twitter.com/oXdEu8u6wE
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) October 23, 2019
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bulgaria said: "The Scania truck was registered in Varna (on the east coast of Bulgaria) under the name of a company owned by an Irish citizen."
Earlier today Detective Chief Constable Pippa Mills said a murder investigation hsa been launched.
“Shortly before 1.40am today we received reports that a number of people had been found inside a lorry's container at the Waterglade Industrial Park on Eastern Avenue in Grays. We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria and came in to the UK through Holyhead on the 19th of October.
"Emergency services attended but sadly all 39 people inside the container had died. Early indications suggest that one of these people was a teenager, the rest are believed to be adults.
“A murder investigation was launched and the lorry driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
“At this stage we have not identified where the victims are from or their identities, and we anticipate that this could be a lengthy process.
“I would like to thank the local community and in particular those who have been directly affected by the police cordon at the industrial site.
“Thank you for your cooperation. I appreciate the impact the road closure will have on businesses within the cordon.
“I’m unable to say at this stage how long the cordon will be in place but please let me reassure you that my officers and partners will be doing everything they can to release the scene as soon as possible.
“This is an absolute tragedy and very sad day for Essex Police and the local community. We will continue to work alongside many other partner agencies to find out what led to these deaths.
“I would like to appeal for anyone who has any information to contact my officers at the Major Investigation Team on 101 or visit our website. We will update all of our channels as we are able to, but please appreciate we are in the early stages of what is likely to be a lengthy investigation.”
- Essex police working to identify where 39 lorry-death victims are from and their identities
- Man from Northern Ireland arrested as 39 bodies found in Essex lorry container