31 People Found Crammed Inside Container In Tilbury Port, England, One Dead
In what is being seen as an attempt to enter the United Kingdom illegally, as many as 31 people — including small children — were found crammed inside a closed cargo container at Tilbury port in Essex. The incident came to light on the morning of August 16, at around 7:35 am local time. People were found inside the container while it was being unloaded on to the port. The ship had come to Tilbury port from the port of Zeebrugge in Belgium. Almost everyone inside the container was in poor health, while one person had apparently died during the treacherous trip.
According to The Guardian, 19 people have been taken to nearby hospitals and are being treated for dehydration and exhaustion. These include 12 adults and seven children. One person has died while many others have significant, but non-life threatening health problems. The rest of the people were treated on the spot by ambulance crews that were called in. In a statement, East of England Ambulance Service said:
“We sent seven ambulances, two rapid response cars, a patient transport services vehicle, two duty operational managers, two BASICS doctors and our hazardous area response team (Hart), a number of which are still on scene.”
They added that emergency personnel are assessing the health conditions of all the people found inside the container, and are ensuring the people in urgent need of medical care are being taken to hospitals first.
Many of the people have been taken to Basildon and Thurrock Hospital, which revealed on Twitter that doctors were “responding to a major incident.” Another hospital in the area, Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, said it was “currently on standby to receive cases.”
Basildon Hospital is responding to a major incident. A&E is open, but please be aware that waiting times may be extended.
— Basildon Hospital (@BasildonHosp) August 16, 2014
Meanwhile, the Essex Police have launched an investigation into the incident. A police spokesperson explained:
“Essex Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of a container of people at Tilbury Port. The container, on a ship believed to be from Zeebrugge, was being unloaded this morning. Essex Police received a call at 7.35am from the Port of Tilbury authorities. 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. Essex Police is working in partnership with the Port of Tilbury, UK Border Force and the East of England Ambulance Service. A casualty bureau is in the process of being set up.”
[Image Via Wikimedia Commons]
