A man wanted in connection with the deaths of 39 people found in the back of an Essex lorry will appear in court this morning.

Marius Mihai Draghici is suspected of being part of a conspiracy that led to the deaths of the Vietnamese nationals, whose bodies were discovered in the lorry container on 23 October 2019.

The 49-year-old was detained by police in Romania in August and then extradited to the UK.

He is now in Essex Police custody and has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. He will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court this morning, Saturday 29 October.

The charges come one week after the third anniversary of the tragic incident.

Temperatures inside the container had reached 38.5C (101.3F) after the migrants paid people smugglers more than £10,000 each to travel to England.

The lorry had travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium to the Port of Purfleet in Essex.

Related posts:

Manhunt suspect arrested over murder of woman and her son G7 Summit 2021: When is it, what’s happening and where is Carbis Bay? Kent Council to take Home Office to court as migrant children crisis threatens to ‘overwhelm them’ ‘Biggest thing in football since 1966′: Fans’ excitement for semi-final against Denmark builds How was prolific sex offender David Fuller caught and how did he get away with it for so long? Entertainer Lionel Blair dies aged 92, agent says Royal Ulster Constabulary used murderers as informants and engaged in ‘collusive behaviour’, report finds Couple say it is ‘a moral obligation’ to open home to Ukraine refugees ‘It’s part of my DNA’: Mother who fled Nazis inspires rabbi to take in refugees Deserted stations, stationary trains and picket lines: The rail strike in pictures Body found after 21-year-old man went missing in the water near Clacton Pier What legacy is in store for Birmingham after hosting the Commonwealth Games?