Over 30 people found trapped in container at Tilbury docks in Essex

More than thirty people were found trapped inside a shipping container at Tilbury Docks in Essex this morning, including one man who has died. 

 

Essex Police released a statement saying "thirty-one people, including adults and children of both genders, were found inside.

 

"One man has sadly died and the others have significant health problems. They are being treated by ambulance crews and are being taken to local hospitals."

 

They said that the discovery was made when the container, which arrived from Zeebrugge in Belgium, was being unloaded.

 

The East of England Ambulance Service sent ambulances, rapid response cars and doctors to the scene after being called to the docks at 6.37am. 

 

A spokeswoman for the service said: "Our initial priority is to assess the level and nature of any injuries, and ensure that those people in most need are treated first and taken to hospital."

 

Essex police have now launched an investigation into the incident. The route between Zeebrugge and Tilbury has only been in operation since the beginning of the month according to the BBC.