Prime minister pays respects to victims of ‘callous’ lorry tragedy

Dignitaries sign book of condolence and lay wreaths

Boris Johnson has pledged to do everything in his power to bring those responsible for the deaths of 39 migrants found inside a lorry container in Essex to justice.

The prime minister was joined at Thurrock Civic Offices by Home Secretary Priti Patel and senior members of the Essex emergency services to pay their respects to the victims.

All the dignitaries signed a book of condolence before laying wreaths in the Mulberry garden outside.

The bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered by police in the refrigerated trailer on the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays in the early hours of Wednesday last week.

In his message, the prime minister wrote: “The whole nation and indeed the world has been shocked by this tragedy and the cruelty of the fate that has been suffered by innocent people who were hoping for a better life in this country.

“We mourn those who lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their families far away. In condemning the callousness of those responsible for this crime, we in the government of the United Kingdom resolve to do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Also attending were Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, Thurrock Council leader Rob Gledhill, East of England Ambulance Service chief executive Dorothy Hosein, Chief Fire Officer for Essex Jo Turton, Essex police, fire and crime commissioner Roger Hirst and Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price.

The PM made no comment about the incident as he left the garden.

Essex Police say they are working on the largest mass fatality victim identification process in their history.

Mr Harrington praised the actions of local forces in the investigation so far as “exemplary”.

Ms Doyle-Price said more should be done to manage checks at departing ports and the people who were “playing Russian roulette” with the lives of innocent people.

The visit came on the same day that the driver of the lorry, Maurice Robinson, 25, appeared via video link at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, charged with 39 counts of manslaughter.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey next month.

We mourn those who lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their families far away. BORIS JOHNSON

Picture: AP. Hoang Thi Ai shows a photo of her son, Hoang Van Tiep, who she fears is one of the possible victims of the lorry incident, at her home in Dien Chau district, Nghe An province, Vietnam.