(UTV|COLOMBO) – The bodies of 16 Vietnamese people who were found dead in a refrigerated lorry in the UK have arrived back in Vietnam.
They were among 39 migrants – eight women and 31 males, including two boys aged 15 – found in the lorry in Essex on 23 October.
The bodies were flown to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, and will be taken by ambulance to their family homes.
Investigations are under way in both the UK and Vietnam – several people have been arrested or charged.
“We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. We will organise the funeral as soon as he’s returned,” said Vo Van Binh, the father of one victim, Vo Van Linh.
Speaking to AFP from Ha Tinh province, he said the family were “very sad, but happy as finally my son is back”.
The bodies of the remaining victims will be repatriated in the coming days, though a date has not been publicly confirmed.
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