Cab used to pull trailer in which 39 Vietnamese migrants died - up for auction
The money raised will go toward supporting the victims families
A lorry cab which pulled a trailer carrying 39 Vietnamese migrants who were found dead in Essex, is up for auction.
The Vietnamese nationals were discovered in the container, which had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet on October 23, 2019.
The victims had hoped for a better life in Britain and had agreed to pay up to £13,000 per person for a "VIP" smuggling service. On October 22, 2019, they were loaded into the lorry container under undisclosed conditions and subsequently ran out of air before reaching British shores. The old bailey heard they desperately tried to raise the alarm.
Maurice Robinson, 28, of Craigavon had picked up the container at the docks and opened the doors before alerting others waiting at a nearby pick-up point near Collingwood Farm in Orsett.
He was one of four people jailed for the manslaughter of the migrants.
A joint statement from Essex Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper and Wilsons Auctions Ltd said:
“We have tried to manage the disposal of the lorry cab in an appropriate way, whilst recognising the independence and authority of the courts, their decisions and processes.”
Mark Woods of Wilsons Auctions Ltd said: “The vehicle will be sold to the highest bidder in a closed auction where only vetted Authorised Treatment Facilities who are registered with the Environment Agency can bid. It will be broken into parts for recycling and will not return to the road.
“All money generated from the auction will be sent to the 39 Vietnamese victims’ families.”
Chief Superintendent Hooper added: “Essex Police have dealt with the investigation into the deaths of the 39 Vietnamese victims who tragically lost their lives in a highly professional manner, showing dignity and respect to both the victims and their families.
“It was a complex case which gained national and international media attention, but throughout the investigation and court trials, our priority has been, and remains, treating the victims with respect and sensitively offering their families support, to ensure they do not suffer further.“