London - Two addresses in Northern Ireland
have been searched by police investigating the deaths of 39
people inside a truck at an industrial estate near London.
British police found the bodies of 38 adults and one
teenager in a lorry container on an industrial site in Grays,
about 20 miles (32 km) east of central London in the early hours
of Wednesday morning.
Police arrested the driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern
Ireland, on suspicion of murder, and he was held in custody.
Police investigating the deaths raided two houses in province,
the BBC reported.
Police said the trailer had arrived at docks in Essex,
southern England, having travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium and
the bodies were found just over an hour later at 1.40 am.
The red cab unit of the truck was believed to have
originated in Ireland. It had "Ireland" emblazoned on the
windscreen along with the message "The Ultimate Dream".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was appalled by the
news and was receiving regular updates about the investigation
which was focused on human trafficking.
The National Crime Agency said it was assisting the
investigation and working to "urgently identify and take action
against any organised crime groups who have played a role in
causing these deaths."