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Eight people found inside tanker Driver arrested for 'trafficking'
(about 2 hours later)
Eight people have been taken to hospital with breathing difficulties after being found inside a chemical tanker in south-east London. The driver of chemical tanker in which eight people were found suffering from breathing problems has been arrested on suspicion of people trafficking.
They were discovered when the driver stopped to check his load in Harrow Manor Way in Bexley, on Friday. Police said a 55-year-old man is being questioned about the incident in Bexley, south-east London.
Scotland Yard said the people were suffering as a result of breathing in gas created by the load, a powdered carbon-based chemical. The eight people were taken to hospital after breathing in gas created by the load, a powdered carbon-based chemical.
The Border and Immigration Agency has been informed about the incident. They were found inside the truck, which had come from Germany. The Border and Immigration Agency has been informed.
It is understood the tanker had begun its journey in Germany. London Fire Brigade said they went to Harrow Manor Way at 0815 GMT after reports of a chemical incident.
A 100m (328ft) cordon was put in place on a section of the dual-carriageway to allow officers to check the tanker.
Immigration agencyImmigration agency
A 100m (328ft) cordon was put in place on a section of the dual-carriageway to allow the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to check the tanker. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said they were called by the driver after he stopped to check his load.
The Metropolitan Police (Met) spokesman said they were called by the driver after he had stopped to check his load. London Ambulance Service (LAS) sent a hazardous area response team, an air ambulance, four ambulances and a fast response car to the scene.
He said no arrests have been made and officers remain at the scene examining the tanker, now parked on an underpass beneath Eastern Way in Abbey Wood. An LAS spokesman said the eight people were suffering "minor breathing problems".
London Ambulance Service (LAS) had sent a hazardous area response team, an air ambulance, four ambulances and a fast response car.
An LAS spokesman said the eight people were suffering "minor breathing problems" and have been taken to hospital.
The tanker is owned by H Freund, a German company with offices in Frechen, west Germany, and Runcorn, Cheshire.The tanker is owned by H Freund, a German company with offices in Frechen, west Germany, and Runcorn, Cheshire.
The company said it was liaising with the authorities over the circumstances of the incident.The company said it was liaising with the authorities over the circumstances of the incident.
London Fire Brigade said they were called at 0815 GMT to reports of a chemical incident.