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Children 'travelled to Northern Ireland in a shipping container' East African children taken into care in Belfast
(30 minutes later)
A number of east African children found in Belfast's harbour area last week said they travelled there in a shipping container, the BBC understands. A number of east African children who are thought to have arrived into NI illegally have been taken into care in Belfast in recent weeks.
It is believed at least 10 teenagers were found across a number of days and subsequently placed in the care of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. It is unclear how they arrived in the city, however the teenagers said they travelled in a shipping container.
They are from Eritrea and were travelling without an adult. Police dispute that and have said officers are trying to find out how they got there.
They were said to be tired, cold and hungry when discovered. A source said the teenagers are being looked after. The children are from Eritrea in north east Africa and were travelling without an adult.
They have since been placed in the care of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it is "liaising with the relevant health trust to understand the circumstances around a number of unaccompanied children who have been taken into the care of social services".The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it is "liaising with the relevant health trust to understand the circumstances around a number of unaccompanied children who have been taken into the care of social services".
"Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of the children involved," the PSNI added."Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of the children involved," the PSNI added.