IFIR press release:THE BODIES OF39 REFUGEES FOUND IN LORRY CONTAINER

23 October 2019

39 bodies were found inside a truck at Waterglade Industrial Park near Grays Essex at 01.40 on
Wednesday morning. The people are believed to be refugees who were seeking safety in the UK.
The truck is believed to have docked in the UK at 1230am Purfleet a dock along the River
Thames.The lorry started its journey in Bulgaria. The driver Mo Robinson a 25 year old from
Portadown, Ireland has been arrested on suspicion of murder. The Lorry arrived via ferry from
Zeebrugge, Belgium.

Dashty Jamal Secretary of International federation of Iraqi refugees-IFIR has said The EU and UK
government is responsible for this tragedy. Refugees are dying in many tragic ways trying to cross
sea and land in search of a better life. Many refugees have no choice but to flee war and insecurity.
This tragedy is the direct result of the anti-refugee policies of both the UK and EU.
We ask freedom loving people and human rights organisations to stand up against these policies and
for there to be no borders”. He also said that after this tragedy the IFIR contacted the police in order to
find out information regarding the identities of those on the truck. The police said it’s important for
them to first move the bodies to a secure place and then to investigate further. Once they have
identified the bodies they will be in touch with IFIR.