FOLLOWING confirmation that bodies of the 39 Vietnamese nationals discovered in a refrigerated container in West Thurrock have been returned home, two senior figures in Essex have spoken about the 'appalling tragedy'.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith, lead for the investigation in to the deaths said: "On behalf of everyone at Essex Police I would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims as they are reunited with their loved ones following their tragic deaths in October. Our thoughts are with them.

"While the process to repatriate the victims back to Vietnam from the UK has concluded, I continue to have detectives and police staff working tirelessly on what is a large and complex investigation

"On 23 October, 39 men, women and children died needlessly as a result of this fateful journey and we remain committed to ensuring that we do all we can to bring those involved to justice."

HM Senior Coroner for Essex, Mrs Caroline Beasley-Murray, said: "I am grateful to Essex Police, the forensic pathologists, Broomfield mortuary staff along with all the others who ensured a speedy conclusion to the identification of the victims.

"I am glad that all the victims of this appalling tragedy have now been repatriated and our thoughts remain with the bereaved families at this dreadful time for them.

"It is important that not just the living but also the dead are treated with respect. As William Gladstone once said: 'Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, their loyalty to high ideals'."