Nine Migrants Found Alive in Lorry in Kent Hours After Discovery of 39 Bodies in Essex

Previously, 39 dead migrants, apparently smuggled into the UK from Bulgaria, were found in a lorry container in Essex, with one of them being underage. British police are investigating the incident and have arrested the 25-year-old truck driver on suspicion of murder.

Nine migrants have been found alive inside a lorry that was stopped in Kent on the M20 motorway, Sky News reported, citing the city's police spokesman. The police were reportedly informed of the lorry at 3.40pm and eventually stopped the vehicle for checks, finding the passengers alive.

"Nine people are now being checked as a precaution by the South East Coast Ambulance Service before they are passed to Home Office immigration officers", Kent police spokesman said.

The finding comes hours after the bodies of 39 migrants, one of them a teenager, were found in a refrigerator truck in Essex. They reportedly arrived in the UK from Bulgaria on 19 October via Zeebrugge, Belgium.

The 25-year-old driver of the truck was arrested by the police on suspicion of being connected with the incident.

I’m appalled by this tragic incident in Essex. I am receiving regular updates and the Home Office will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened. My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives & their loved ones.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 23, 2019

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson slammed the incident as an "unimaginable tragedy" and called for the people smugglers behind it to be "hunted down and brought to justice".