Vietnam coordinates with UK police on lorry deaths

The Vietnamese embassy in London says it is coordinating with authorities to provide support for the families of 39 people who were found dead in a container truck in Essex, United Kingdom, in late October.

In a statement on Friday, the embassy said it was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy, after Essex police said that all 39 victims are thought to be from Vietnam.

"Specific identities of the victims still need to be identified and confirmed by the relevant authorities of Vietnam and UK," the statement read.

The embassy said it would "closely co-ordinate with the relevant authorities of Vietnam and UK to support the families of the Vietnamese victims, if any, to bring their loved ones home".

On Friday, Essex police said that all 39 victims are believed to be from Vietnam, having previously stated they were from China.

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith said on Friday that "at this time, we believe the victims are Vietnamese nationals, and we are in contact with the Vietnamese government”.

A 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to traffic people. Another man was arrested on Friday in Ireland, and two others in Vietnam.