UK Police Free 3 Suspects on Bail in Truck Deaths Case

Police escort the truck that was found to contain a large number of dead bodies as they move it from an industrial estate in Thurrock, south England, on Oct. 23, 2019. Alastair Grant/AP

LONDON—British police released three people on bail on Sunday, Oct. 27 after questioning them in the deaths of 39 people found hidden in a shipping container in southeastern England.

A 38-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman—both from the northern English town of Warrington—and a 46-year-old man from Northern Ireland were questioned on suspicion of manslaughter and conspiracy to traffic people.

Police forensic officers attend the scene after a truck was found to contain a large number of dead bodies in Thurrock, South England on Oct. 23, 2019. UK Pool via AP

The bodies were found early Wednesday in an industrial park in southeastern England.

Essex Police on Saturday charged the driver of the truck, 25-year-old Maurice Robinson of Northern Ireland, with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and money laundering. He is to appear in court Monday.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore speaks to the media during a press conference at Grays Police Station in Essex on Oct. 26, 2019. Victoria Jones/PA via AP

Up to 24 families have reported to local authorities their missing children as of Sunday afternoon, VNExpress website reported. Police said their investigation includes over 500 exhibits, including mobile phones which have to be downloaded to help identify the victims.

Nguyen Dinh Luong, 20, poses for a selfie in this undated photo provided by his family. Family fears that Nguyen Dinh Luong, 20, could be one of 39 deaths in a lorry in Essex, UK. Family of Nguyen Dinh Luong/AP Photo

Vo Ngoc Chuyen, whose family believe that his younger brother Vo Ngoc Nam could be among the truck deaths in U.K speaks to media at his home in Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province, Vietnam, on Oct. 27, 2019. Linh Do/AP Photo

“We are working hard to understand how the 39 victims of this tragic incident have died and to identify all those involved,” said Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore. “We remain open-minded as to nationalities of those who have died. We are asking anyone who may have information that may assist us in identification to come forward to us.”