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Essex lorry deaths: Victims' remains arrive back in Vietnam Essex lorry deaths: Victims' remains arrive back in Vietnam
(30 minutes later)
The bodies of 16 Vietnamese people who were found dead in a refrigerated lorry in the UK have arrived back in Vietnam.The bodies of 16 Vietnamese people who were found dead in a refrigerated lorry in the UK have arrived back in Vietnam.
They were among 39 migrants - eight women and 31 males, including two boys aged 15 - found in the lorry in Essex on 23 October.They were among 39 migrants - eight women and 31 males, including two boys aged 15 - found in the lorry in Essex on 23 October.
The driver of the lorry, Maurice Robinson, had earlier pleaded guilty to plotting to assist illegal immigration. The bodies were flown to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, and will be taken by ambulance to their family homes.
The bodies were flown to Hanoi by a commercial flight and will be taken by ambulance to their family homes. Investigations are under way in both the UK and Vietnam - several people have been arrested or charged.
"We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. We will organise the funeral as soon as he's returned," said Vo Van Binh, the father of one victim, Vo Van Linh."We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. We will organise the funeral as soon as he's returned," said Vo Van Binh, the father of one victim, Vo Van Linh.
Speaking to AFP from Ha Tinh province, he said the family were "very sad, but happy as finally my son is back".Speaking to AFP from Ha Tinh province, he said the family were "very sad, but happy as finally my son is back".
The bodies of the remaining victims will be repatriated in the coming days, though a date has not been publicly confirmed.The bodies of the remaining victims will be repatriated in the coming days, though a date has not been publicly confirmed.
Repatriation of each body will cost each of the victims' families more than 66.2 million Vietnamese dong ($2,856; £2,204), according to the vice minister of foreign affairs.Repatriation of each body will cost each of the victims' families more than 66.2 million Vietnamese dong ($2,856; £2,204), according to the vice minister of foreign affairs.
The Vietnamese government had offered loans to relatives, though some have said this will only add to the debts they incurred by helping their late relative make the journey to the UK.The Vietnamese government had offered loans to relatives, though some have said this will only add to the debts they incurred by helping their late relative make the journey to the UK.
Several Vietnamese organisations have helped to raise money for the families of the victims. More than $110,000 has now been crowdfunded to help support the families.Several Vietnamese organisations have helped to raise money for the families of the victims. More than $110,000 has now been crowdfunded to help support the families.
What happened to the victims?What happened to the victims?
On 23 October, police found the bodies at the back of a refrigerated lorry in the town of Grays in Essex, eastern England.On 23 October, police found the bodies at the back of a refrigerated lorry in the town of Grays in Essex, eastern England.
Police initially believed the victims to be Chinese nationals but it was later revealed that all 39 of them were from Vietnam.Police initially believed the victims to be Chinese nationals but it was later revealed that all 39 of them were from Vietnam.
One of the victims, Pham Thi Tra My, had sent distressing messages to her family on the evening of 22 October.One of the victims, Pham Thi Tra My, had sent distressing messages to her family on the evening of 22 October.
"I am really, really sorry, Mum and Dad, my trip to a foreign land has failed," it read."I am really, really sorry, Mum and Dad, my trip to a foreign land has failed," it read.
"I am dying, I can't breathe. I love you very much Mum and Dad.""I am dying, I can't breathe. I love you very much Mum and Dad."
Where is the investigation at now?
Mr Robinson has pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to assist illegal immigration between 1 May 2018 and 24 October 2019.
He also admitted to acquiring criminal property - namely cash - during this period of time.
Mr Robinson is accused of being part of a larger plot to bring people into the UK illegally.
Another lorry driver, Christopher Kennedy, has also been charged with plotting with others to traffic illegal immigrants and assist unlawful immigration. He has been remanded until a hearing on 13 December.
Several other people have also been arrested in both the UK and Vietnam.