According to the latest information provided by the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK that is also in charge of Ireland, Irish authorities have announced that three out of 14 migrants found inside a refrigerated shipping container in the southeastern port of Rosslare, Ireland on January 8 are believed to come from Vietnam, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said.

Hang made the statement on January 11 at the ministry’s regular press meeting when answering questions from reporters on the case that Irish police on January 10 opened an investigation into human trafficking after 14 illegal migrants were found inside a refrigerated shipping container in Ireland’s Rosslare seaport.

Hang said that as soon as receiving the information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK to contact local authorities, inquire into and closely follow the investigation process of this case.

The embassy has been coordinating closely with local authorities to verify the identities of the stowaways, and prepare to undertake citizen protection measures if needed.

Embassy ready for citizen protection measures regarding case of migrants found in container in Rosslare port

As soon as receiving information that three out of 14 migrants found inside a refrigerated shipping container at Rosslare port of Ireland on January 8 are believed to be Vietnamese, the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK and the Honorary Consul Office of Vietnam in Dublin, Ireland contacted Irish authorities to inquire into the case. 

According to the embassy, following directions by the Foreign Ministry, it has been closely coordinating with Irish authorities to verify the identities of the stowaways and prepare to undertake citizen protection measures if needed. 

The embassy and the honorary consul office in Dublin are working with police in Dublin to verify the identities of the stowaways and ensure that they are treated humanely and lawfully. 

The embassy is waiting for information from the police about the specific location to make consular access. According to Dublin police, these people are in good health condition.

On January 9 evening, Irish and British media reported that Irish police discovered 14 migrants - nine men, three women, and two girls - in a refrigerated truck when the vehicle was stopped at Rosslare Europort port in Wexford county, Leinster province, southern Ireland, at about 3:00 am on January 8 (local time). These people are all in good health after being medically examined.

Previously, at around 1 am on January 8, the British coast guard force received an emergency call from a person inside a refrigerated vehicle while the vehicle was on a ferry from France to Rosslare port. British and Irish authorities coordinated and promptly stopped that vehicle as soon as it arrived at the port.

Irish police have now opened an investigation into the incident and so far no arrest has been made./.VNA