A man has been charged in connection with Essex Police's ongoing investigation into the deaths of 39 people who were discovered in a lorry trailer in West Thurrock in October 2019.

Marius Mihai Draghici, 49, was detained by police in Romania in August.

He is now in Essex Police custody and has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

He appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court this morning (Saturday, 29 October) and was remanded in custody until 28 November, when he will appear at the Central Criminal Court.

The charges come one week after the third anniversary of the incident, which was marked by all authorities involved last Sunday (23 October).