AVID statement: in memory of the 39 people who died trying to reach the UK

AVID statement: in memory of the 39 people who died trying to reach the UK

Police have released the names of the 39 people who died in the back of a lorry in Essex a few weeks ago.

While the shock and horror of this tragedy continues to reverberate, we must take time to remember the 39 individuals, and their families and loved ones. The oldest was 44 and the youngest just 15 years old.

Many of those who died were from Nghe An in Vietnam, an area known for people smuggling. Our thoughts are with their friends and family members, and we remember them here:

Pham Thi Tra My, 26

Nguyen Dinh Luong, 20
Nguyen Huy Phong, 35
Vo Nhan Du, 19
Tran Manh Hung, 37
Tran Khanh Tho, 18
Vo Van Linh, 25
Nguyen Van Nhan, 33
Bui Phan Thang, 37
Nguyen Huy Hung, 15
Tran Thi Tho, 21
Bui Thi Nhung, 19
Vo Ngoc Nam, 28
Nguyen Dinh Tu, 26
Le Van Ha, 30
Tran Thi Ngoc, 19
Nguyen Van Hung, 33
Hoang Van Tiep, 18
Cao Tien Dung, 37
Cao Huy Thanh, 33

Tran Thi Mai Nhung, 18

Nguyen Minh Quang, 20
Le Trong Thanh, 44
Pham Thi Ngoc Oanh, 28
Hoang Van Hoi, 24
Nguyen Tho Tuan, 25
Dang Huu Tuyen, 22
Nguyen Trong Thai, 26
Nguyen Van Hiep, 24
Nguyen Thi Van, 35
Tran Hai Loc, 35
Duong Minh Tuan, 27
Nguyen Ngoc Ha, 32
Nguyen Tien Dung, 33
Phan Thi Thanh, 41
Nguyen Ba Vu Hung, 34
Dinh Dinh Thai Quyen, 18
Tran Ngoc Hieu, 17
Dinh Dinh Binh, 15

The tragedy has shocked the UK and will re-traumatise many who made their way here undertaking similar dangerous journeys.

It is vital that these deaths are recognised as being directly related to the absence of safe, legal routes to the UK. As the UK restricts further the safe ways for people to enter, we will continue to see such tragedies.

AVID is proud to be part of a new taskforce on victims of trafficking in immigration detention, working with partners to seek an end to the detention under immigration powers of those who have been trafficked to the UK.

9th November 2019