First of UK lorry bodies flown back to Vietnam
THE first 16 of 39 immigrants found dead in the back of a refrigerated lorry in Britain have been repatriated toVietnam.
They arrived on a flight that landed in Hanoi before being transported by ambulance to homes in three different provinces.
The remaining bodies will follow at a later date.
The 31 males and eight females, aged between 15 and 44, are believed to have paid human traffickers to smuggle them into Britain.
The Vietnamese government has loaned money to the bereaved families so they could pay for the repatriation costs which are thought to be more than £2,000 per body – the equivalent of nearly 18 months salary for the average worker.
Authorities in Vietnam urged the relatives to opt for ashes “to ensure speed, low cost and sanitation safety” but many paid more for the bodies to carry out traditional burials. Cremation is rare in the Vietnam countryside, where most of the victims are from. However crowdfunding campaigns have raised more than £85,000 for grieving relatives.
Nguyen Dinh Gia, father of victim Nguyen Dinh Luong, said:
“After waiting for so many days, my son has finally arrived.
“We are deeply saddened but we have to hold back the emotion to organise the funeral for my son.”
Hoang Lanh, who lost his son Hoang Van Tiep, 18, and nephew, Nguyen Van Hung, in the tragedy said: “It’s bittersweet, I can’t believe I would have to welcome my son back like this. I’m devastated but I am happy to have him back.”
The bodies were discovered an HGV on an industrial park Grays, Essex, on October 23.
On Monday the driver of the truck, Maurice Robinson, 25, of in in
Northern Ireland, admitted conspiring to assisting illegal immigration. He appeared from prison by videolink and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on December 13.
Several suspects have been arrested in the UK andVietnam.