Vietnam arrests eight in connection with UK truck deaths

The bodies of 39 people, all of whom are believed to be Vietnamese, were found in the back of a refrigerated truck near London last month

In support of efforts to identify the victims a Vietnamese deputy foreign minister travelled to Britain late on Sunday to aid investigations

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A police forensic team inspect the truck in which the 39 bodies were found on October 23. Photo: AP

Published: 6:01pm, 4 Nov 2019Updated: 9:36pm, 4 Nov 2019

Police in Vietnam have arrested eight people in relation to the discovery of 39 bodies in a truck near London last month, state media said on Monday.

“Based on what we learn from the suspects, we will actively launch investigations to fight and eradicate these rings which bring people illegally to Britain,” said Nghe An province police chief Nguyen Huu Cau, according to the official Vietnam News Agency.

On Friday, Vietnamese police arrested two people and summoned others for questioning on suspicion of involvement in the incident.

Meanwhile, in support of efforts to identify the victims a Vietnamese deputy foreign minister travelled to Britain late on Sunday to aid investigations.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: EPA

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested a deputy foreign minister, whose name has not been revealed, to travel to Britain following a cabinet meeting on Sunday, according to local newspaper VnExpress.

The deputy minister will lead a delegation aimed at speeding up the identification process.

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