Keep up with Armagh i

Police investigating deaths of 39 people given extra 24 hours to question Co Armagh lorry driver

Detectives investigating the deaths of 39 Chinese nationals found dead in a lorry trailer in Essex have been give an additional 24 hours to question the Co Armagh lorry driver.

The 25-year-old driver is being questioned following the discovery of the the eight women and 31 men.

Three properties in Co Armagh were search in the last 24 hours in relation to Wednesday morning’s discovery at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays.

The properties were in Markethill, Laurelvale and Armagh City.

Police said the driver had picked up the trailer at the port at Purfleet shortly after 1.05am, before ambulance crews were called at 1.30am.

Speaking after Essex Police was granted more time to question Mr Robinson on Thursday, Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said the “priority is the preserving the dignity of the 39 people who have died and ensuring that we get answers for their loved ones”.

Each of the 39 deceased must undergo a full coroner’s process to establish a cause of death, before police move on to attempting to identify each individual within the trailer.

Local jobs

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Most read today

More in Armagh