The first batch of bodies in the Essex lorry case have been flown to Vietnam's Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. 16 bodies in total have finally made their way home on Wednesday after perishing inside a lorry trailer in England last month.
According to BBC News, some families expressed both relief and grief now that the victims have started finding their way home. Vo Van Binh, the father of one of the deceased, said the family was "very sad, but happy as finally, my son is back."
It is unclear when the next repatriation will take place or whether the remaining bodies will be sent home shortly. On the other hand, the families have received offers for loans from the Vietnamese government for the repatriation of their loved ones.
It was previously reported that the Vietnamese and British governments will not cover the costs for repatriating the remains of the Essex lorry migrants. Vietnamese organizations and advocacy groups have sent donations to help the families.
A crowdfunding page has also been set up to help support the victims' families. Over $110,000 has been crowdfunded so far in hopes of attracting support from bigger foundations and charities.
Meanwhile, another man, this time from Purfleet, Essex, has been arrested by local police and taken into custody in Dalston, east London on Monday. He is suspected of having been involved in the deaths of 39 migrants who were found inside a frozen lorry trailer last month.
The 36-year-old man is being questioned by the authorities as he is suspected of conspiring with other people to assist in immigration to the United Kingdom that breaches the law.
Before the Purfleet man's arrest, Christopher Kennedy of Darkley, County Armagh appeared on court on Monday for charges involving human trafficking, while Eamon Harrison is undergoing extradition processing from Northern Ireland to the U.K.
The lorry's final driver before the dead bodies were discovered, Maurice "Mo" Robinson," already pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey court late last month. His guilty plea involved the assistance of illegal immigrants to the country between May 1 last year and October 24.
Robinson is set to appear in court again on December 13. However, three people who were arrested under suspicion of having links to the Essex lorry case has been released on bail.
Harrison, on the other hand, appeared in Dublin's central criminal the court last week as he is faced with a total of 41 offenses including 39 counts of manslaughter, The Guardian reported.
Irish government representative, Ronan Kennedy, said at that time that Harrison was confirmed to be the driver of the lorry when it reached Belgium. Harrison was also the person of interest who signed the shipping notice for the container.
