Vietnam receives first bodies found in British truck
Friends and family of the 39 Vietnamese people found dead in the back of a British truck last month sobbed, as the first of the bodies were returned to Vietnam on Wednesday (November 27).
A procession of ambulances made their way through crowds of mourners in the rural town of Dien Chau... the same place some of the victims began their doomed journey.
Among them was 18-year-old Hoang Van Tiep, who had begged his parents to help him start a new life in Britain.
His uncle spoke to Reuters on Wednesday.
(SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) HOANG VAN MAU, UNCLE OF VICTIM HOANG VAN TIEP, SAYING:
"We are not worried anymore. Before, while we were waiting, we were afraid that he couldn't come home. But now he is here and that has fulfilled our family's wish. Now the priest will hold a ceremony to rest his soul."
Families of the victims, all aged between 15 and 44, have been plagued by confusion and anguish over how to get the bodies home.
According to a foreign ministry statement seen by Reuters, the families would have to pay for the repatriation of the bodies, costing nearly $3,000 each.
But the statement said the Vietnamese government would advance the payment, which could be repayed later.
Police in Vietnam have arrested 10 people in connection with the deaths.
On Monday (November 25), the British driver of the truck admitted plotting to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property.
