More details about the discovery of dead bodies behind a lorry have emerged.
The bodies of 39 people found at the back of a truck are reportedly those of Chinese nationals.
This is the understanding being bandied about as law enforcement authorities continue with their investigations.
Police officers working on the grim discovery have not confirmed the reports that the 39 victims are Chinese.
Authorities in China said that they had been seized of the matter and called for patience as further investigations continue.
Mo Robinson, who was driving the truck, is currently in police custody helping with the investigations.
There are also claims that the front part of the lorry came from Northern Ireland and connected with the trailer in Purfleet.
Paul Berry, the councillor of the area where the driver's family lives, said that he had contacted the father of Mo Robinson and expressed the hope that the driver has been embroiled in the saga innocently.
"The local community is hoping that he [Mo Robinson] has been caught up innocently in this matter, but that's in the hands of Essex Police, and we will leave it in their professional hands to try to catch the perpetrators of this," Paul Berry said.
Belgian law enforcement authorities also said that they had opened an investigation into the matter that would focus on all parties involved in the transport of the bodies.