Verifying information about 7 Vietnamese people in a truck in the UK

The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK is verifying information about the discovery of seven immigrants believed to be Vietnamese citizens in a truck container at Newhaven ferry terminal.

British media reported that on February 16, British authorities discovered seven immigrants believed to be Vietnamese citizens in a truck container at Newhaven ferry terminal, Newhaven town, Lewes district, East Sussex county, VNA reported on February 23.

Ferry operator DFDS, which runs services between Newhaven and Dieppe in Normandy, northern France, confirmed the migrants were found in the back of a lorry on the Seven Sisters ferry and said they were given immediate medical attention.

Ambulances, police and border guards were also at the scene and six migrants were taken to hospital. Prosecutor David Holman said four remained in hospital and one was in a critical condition.

The Seven Sisters ferry at Newhaven Ferry Terminal after migrants were found in the back of a lorry on February 16. Photo: PA — The Seven Sisters ferry at Newhaven Ferry Terminal after migrants were found in the back of a lorry on 16 February. Photo: PA

Anas Al Mustafa, 42, from Swansea, Wales, appeared in court on February 19th charged with attempting to smuggle people into the UK. Mustafa was remanded in custody and will appear in court on March 18th.

According to police sources, in addition to Al Mustafa, another suspect was arrested on charges of illegally entering the UK.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK has contacted local authorities to request coordination, provide information, and is ready to take necessary citizen protection measures to ensure these immigrants are treated humanely and in accordance with the law.

The British Embassy in Vietnam issued a statement on February 22 stating that on February 15, Chelmsford Crown Court sentenced Valeriu Iordatii, 24, a Romanian national, to three years in prison for illegally bringing a group of seven people into the UK. The group, including six Vietnamese, were crammed into a cramped space on the roof of a small Citroen truck that was travelling by ferry from the Netherlands to Essex, England, on December 16, 2023, and were discovered by authorities.

The British Government affirms that it encourages and welcomes safe and legal immigration, and is determined to prevent all illegal entry.

British authorities discovered the bodies of 39 Vietnamese people in a container truck at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Essex in late 2019. Investigations showed that they had been loaded into the truck in northern France after paying smugglers 20,000 euros (more than 23,000 USD) to cross the border to the UK. The victims died in the container during the journey due to lack of oxygen and overheating.

In 2021, the UK sentenced a Romanian and a Briton to 27 and 20 years in prison respectively for allegedly leading a human trafficking ring. Other suspects, especially drivers, were sentenced to 12-20 years in prison. A Belgian court also sentenced a Vietnamese man to 15 years in prison last year for leading a local human trafficking ring.

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