British police release names of 39 truck death victims

Ten teenagers, including two 15-year-old boys, have been named as being among 39 people found dead in a truck in the English county of Essex last month.

Police have released the names of the victims, all of whom were Vietnamese nationals, and who were discovered at an industrial park in the town of Grays. There were 31 male and eight female victims, with the oldest victim being aged 44.

Among the dead was 26-year-old Pham Thi Tra My from Ha Tinh, who sent a text message to her family saying she could not breathe.

Caroline Beasley-Murray, senior coroner for Essex, said: "May I take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to the victims' families. My thoughts are with them at this unimaginably difficult time."

The senior officer in overall charge of the enquiry, Essex Police assistant chief constable Tim Smith, said: "This was an incredibly important process and our team has been working hard to bring answers to worried families who fear their loved one may be among those whose tragic journey ended on our shores.

"Our priority has been to identify the victims, to preserve the dignity of those who have died and to support the victims' friends and families."

In a statement on social media, Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, said "Our thoughts are with them and our deepest sympathy to their families. China stands ready to strengthen international cooperation on combating illegal immigration and human trafficking."