The vehicle was found shortly before 01:40 BST at Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, police said.

Essex Police said the trailer has been moved to a secure location where the bodies of those inside - a teenager and 38 adults - can be recovered.

The driver, named locally as Mo Robinson, 25, from Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Essex Police said the trailer arrived via ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium, into Purfleet on the River Thames.

The ship docked in the Thurrock area shortly after 00:30, the force said.

It is believed the lorry then left the port about 35 minutes later.
Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said identifying the victims remained a "number one priority", but was expected to be a "lengthy process".

The National Crime Agency said it had sent officers to assist and identify any "organised crime groups who may have played a part".

Essex lorry deaths: Latest updates
Why do people risk their lives to get to the UK?
Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, said the trailer appeared to be a refrigerated unit, where temperatures could be as low as -25C.

He described conditions for anyone inside as "absolutely horrendous".

A spokesman for the Bulgarian foreign affairs ministry confirmed the truck was registered in the country.

"The Scania truck was registered in Varna (on the east coast) under the name of a company owned by an Irish citizen," he said.

"Police said that it is highly unlikely that they are Bulgarians," he added.

Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with information about the lorry's route to contact them.

The force said it believed the tractor unit - or front part - of the lorry had come from Northern Ireland.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, he said: "I know that the thoughts and prayers of all members will be with those who lost their lives and their loved ones.

At least no be only Nigeria sabi generate bad and evil news !

Chicagoesontop:
At least no be only Nigeria sabi generate bad and evil news !

wait until they identify the occupants, don't conclude yet

Guess they tried smugling them selves into another country and later died along d line..

Inalilahi wa ina ilehi rojiun

You will definitely see a Nigerian. When I look at the closure of border and how other African countries cry eh, it truly shows we're great but our government are making us look like trash... aswear if government fix this country south Africa will be begging us for forgiveness, we'll be seen as white...


Silly government. Great nation...

That one dey !!

majamajic:




wait until they identify the occupants, don't conclude yet

That one dey !!