UK police conduct investigation at the site where 39 people were found dead in a lorry in Essex. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward has expressed hiscondolences after Essex police announced that they believe thevictims who were found dead in the back of a refrigerated lorry in Essex, the UK, are Vietnamese.
Ina message delivered on November 2,the ambassador said it has been one of the most difficult weeks for him in hiscareer as a diplomat seeing the horrendous tragedy in Essex and the levels ofanxiety and concern in Vietnam.
Hesaid he and his team at the British embassy in Hanoi have been working day inand day out with colleagues in the UK and Vietnam.
“Itis with great sadness that I must relay this information that at this time, Essexpolice believe the victims are Vietnamese nationals,” the ambassador said.
Hewent on to say that “As a father, brother, husband and son, I cannot imaginewhat it must be to lose your loved ones in this way, and so far away from home.”
Accordingto the diplomat, while UK authorities cannot announce the identity of any ofthe victims at this time, Essex police will continue to cooperate closely withthe Vietnamese government and others to identify the victims and offer supportto all those affected by this tragedy.
“Theseare crimes that go on in the shadow and we don’t normally hear about them. Thatis why we are so shocked when we see the details on our television screens. Aswe mourn for the victims, we should also think about those people who might beexploited by the traffickers next, so that we can prevent another tragedy,” theambassador stressed.
Affirmingthat this is a wake-up call for all people in the UK, in Vietnam and in theworld, the ambassador pledged that as the investigation continues, he commitsto putting in all the efforts of his team for the dignity of the victims./.
