ON Sunday, 27 October a memorial event will be held to remember the 39 Vietnamese people whose bodies were found in Eastern Avenue, West Thurrock, having died at the hands of a criminal people smuggling gang.

Rev Canon Stephen Myers, Mayor of Thurrock Cllr Kairen Raper, Cabinet Member for Community Partnerships Cllr Val Morris-Cook, and Thurrock Council Leader Cllr John Kent will join the families of victims at West Thurrock Memorial Ground, where a memorial and 39 trees remember all those who lost their lives that day.

Cllr Morris-Cook said: "We will never forget the tragic event that took place in the early hours of Wednesday, 23 October 2019, where 39 young people lost their lives.

The 31 men and eight women from Vietnam who died were aged between 15 and 39 years-old.

"This event will remember them and the terrible events that transpired five years ago. We will welcome family and friends to the memorial we maintain here in the borough to mark their passing, as we all reflect on the heart-breaking loss that was suffered that day as tragic victims of organised immigration crime," added Cllr Morris-Cook.

The memorial service will begin at 11am on Sunday, 27 October West Thurrock Memorial Park, Hilltop Road, West Thurrock.