Arrest over Tilbury Docks container of 35 Afghan immigrants

19 August 2014, 15:21 | Updated: 19 August 2014, 15:39

A man has been arrested in connection with a container filled with 35 Afghan immigrants, found at docks in Essex.

He is to be questioned on suspicion of manslaughter and facilitating illegal entry into the UK.

By the time the group of Afghan Sikhs were discovered at Tilbury Docks on Saturday, one man was already dead.

Officers have named him as 40 year-old Meet Singh Kapoor.

Further tests are being carried out to try and establish the cause of his death.

The 34 others, which includes children, are seeking asylum in the UK.

It's thought they'd been inside the container for 18 hours.

Just after midday, police in Northen Ireland arrested a 34 year old man in connection with the incident.

He will now be brought the mainland and handed over to Essex Police for questioning.

Officers will also search his home address in Limavady.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, of Essex Police, said: "This is a fast-moving investigation which has already involved a number of police forces and law enforcement agencies from across the United Kingdom and Europe. I am very grateful to officers from the PSNI for their assistance this morning.

"We will continue to work closely with all of our policing colleagues as we pursue our investigation to bring those responsible for this crime to justice."