A man from has been charged with an immigration offence, following the deaths of 39 people found in a refrigerated trailer near the Dartford Crossing.

Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 27, of Hobart Road, Tilbury, was arrested earlier this week in connection with ongoing investigations into the deaths of the Vietnamese citizens on October 23 2019, and is due to appear in court this morning.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between May 1 2018 and October 24 2019.

As detectives continue their investigations, they continue to urge any Vietnamese nationals who may have entered the country illegally via Purfleet in October 2019 to assist with enquiries.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith said: “We believe that a number of other people travelled into the UK in a similar way to the 39 deceased throughout the month of October and we hope that these people would be able to help us.

“We understand that there may be concerned about coming forward and sharing their experiences, but we can assure you that your information and details will be treated in confidence.”

Last month it was also revealed that provisional investigations showed the Vietnamese migrants died as a result of overheating.

The bodies, which included a 15-year-old boy, were found in a trailer in Grays in October and were initially thought to be those of Chinese citizens.

They were flown home to Vietnam the following month as police offered condolences and pressed ahead with their investigations.

Hanga's arrest is the latest in a number connected with the incident.

Last month Gheorghe Nica, 43, of Mimosa Close in Langdon Hills, Basildon, was detained at Frankfurt Airport an faces charges of 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Eamonn Harrison, 23, of Mayobridge, Northern Ireland awaits extradition to the UK and faces 39 charges of manslaughter and charges for conspiracy to traffic people and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Driver Maurice 'Mo' Robinson, 25, of Craigavon, Northern Ireland, was previously charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and has admitted assisting unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property.

Christopher Kennedy, 23, of County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit human trafficking and assisting unlawful immigration, and is due to go on trial next year.

Anyone with further information should call Rayleigh’s Major Crime Team on 101, or you can submit information, including videos and photos, through the public portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020119P15-PO1

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