UK police say 39 truck victims are from Vietnam

All39 people found dead in a refrigerated container truck in Englandlast week were Vietnamese nationals, British police said, as three more people were arrested in Ireland and Vietnam in the sprawling international investigation into what appears to be a people-smuggling tragedy.

British detectives initially said thevictims discovered near the southeast port of Purfleet on October 23were from China, butfamilies from Vietnamhave contacted authorities there with concerns for missing relatives.

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith said on Friday that at this time, we believe the victims are Vietnamese nationals, and we are in contact with the Vietnamese government.

He said police think they have tracedthe relatives of some of the dead.

Source: NAN