UK - 39 bodies found in lorry, Essex, 23 October 2019

[Elainera]

The Telegraph states they indeed froze to death.


Police probe suspected Irish people-smuggling ring after 39 migrants are found frozen to death

Police probe suspected Irish people-smuggling ring after 39 migrants are found frozen to death

 

[Jealoushe]

ok, why would anyone think they could be transported in this?

Usually these trucks are sealed at location pick up. Would be good to know if the seal was on before he opened the doors.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Evil trafficking gangs 'have used same route used by Essex lorry for years'

'Tony Smith, the former head of Border Force, said they will have used safe houses across Europe.

He said: "It’s very unusual on two fronts. Firstly it appears to be a sealed container which is very, very dangerous and very unusual.'

So if it was sealed it's unlikely to have been subject to any checks on route. I guess such as in this instance, it being refrigerated, opening and closing would affect the temperature control and if the food subsequently spoiled there would be a potential claim.

I read that first an ambulance was called and they called the police. I suspect the driver had no idea.

 

[dawnlouise81]

This is awful, I work in a freezer and it’s -22 degrees I have 3 pairs of socks on, hat and thermal clothing. What they must have gone through is horrible

 

[Ellmau]

T get a conviction for the driver they're going to have to prove (a) that he knew the victims were in the back and (b) that he did something which caused the deaths, or deliberately didn't do something that would have saved them. I'm not convinced they will be able to. I wonder if the arrest is a move to pressurise him into telling the police info that could lead them to the organisers (who are definitely culpable)?

 

[Gardenista]

I wonder why he opened the trailer.

 

[Mrs Marple]

I wonder why he opened the trailer.

I suspect he was dropping off at the delivery point.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I wonder why he opened the trailer.

To let them out? Possible. JMO.

 

[Gardenista]

To let them out? Possible. JMO.

I thought he was claiming he's innocent.

 

[HayLouise]

39 people found dead in back of a truck; second truck found with 9 people still alive

 

[HongKongPhooey]

To let them out? Possible. JMO.

What a dreadful sight that must have been

 

[Jealoushe]

I thought he was claiming he's innocent.

I don't think he has been reported as making a statement yet.

Most likely he had 0 clue. His boss however, has some explaining to do. However, it is strange they are searching his house.

 

[Gardenista]

39 people found dead in back of a truck; second truck found with 9 people still alive

So 9 still alive. So maybe he opened it because he heard something.

 

[Ironside]

The arrest of the driver and searching his house is a formality to ensure the police can get as much information as possible. Someone asked him to collect the container and there would be some sort of documentation of this..

 

[Ironside]

So 9 still alive. So maybe he opened it because he heard something.

Different truck.

 

[Gardenista]

Different truck.

Oh boy, I need to stop multi-tasking

 

[Ellmau]

The other truck (with the nine live people) was in a different area and I don't believe connected to this one.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I thought he was claiming he's innocent.

He is. But at the same time, someone opened that trailer and called for help basically as soon as he parked. Otherwise, he pulled into a known "smuggling" route, parked in an out of the way area, and jetted out of there, leaving the entire rig behind, and someone else pretty much immediately opened it up.

On that note, I honestly dont know what to think. Protesting innocence is common with criminals, we do know that much.

JMO.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

I've veered from "terrible man, lock him up and throw away the key" to "oh my word, poor fella, how horrific finding all those bodies" to "erm... why was he opening the doors?"

Did he know they were in there and was supposed to let them jump out and run off? I'm not sure why else he'd be opening the doors? Was there a bad smell and he got suspicious? Did someone instruct him to open the doors at that time and in that place? Wouldn't an industrial estate have CCTV everywhere?

So many questions!

 

[Ironside]

If the container was sealed how would he smell anything?