All 39 migrants found dead in a lorry in Essex have now been formally identified and their families have been told, police said today.
The 31 men and eight women who were found in the back of the refrigerated truck in Grays in the early hours on October 23 are thought to have been Vietnamese.
Essex Police have been working with Vietnamese police officers to present cases to Her Majesty's Senior Coroner for Essex to verify the identities of the dead.
A police officer at the scene where the lorry was discovered in Grays, Essex, on October 23
A series of files were brought before an Identification Commission, and Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray has now formally identified all of the victims.
Mrs Beasley-Murray said: 'May I take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to the victims' families.'
Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith, the senior officer in charge of the investigation, said: 'This is an important step in the investigation and enables us to work with our Vietnamese Police colleagues to support the families of those victims.
'It is only right that we provide an opportunity for family members to take in the news confirming the death of their loved ones before releasing any further information.
'Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those whose tragic journey ended on our shores.'
A mass prayer and vigil for the victims at a Vietnamese church in East London last Saturday
Essex Police said it continues to lead the investigation, working with the National Crime Agency and with European Law Enforcement colleagues.
It comes after eight people were arrested earlier this week by Vietnamese police in connection with the migrants found dead.
They were held on Sunday on suspicion of organising people smuggling overseas. So far two people have been charged.
Essex Police have started extradition proceedings to bring 22-year-old Eamonn Harrison from Ireland to the UK.
Harrison, of Newry in Co Down, Northern Ireland, appeared at Dublin High Court last Friday charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, along with human trafficking and immigration offences, and was remanded in custody.
The driver of the lorry, Mo Robinson, 25, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering.
Detectives have also urged Ronan Hughes, 40, and his brother Christopher, 34, said to have links with the road haulage and shipping industries, to hand themselves in.
The pair, from Armagh in Northern Ireland, are wanted on suspicion of manslaughter and human trafficking.
