The tragic case of 39 Vietnamese people found dead in a truck container in the UK in 2019 shocked the world. Recently, Belgium opened a trial for 23 suspects linked to the human smuggling ring behind this tragedy. This article provides detailed information about the trial and the investigation into the 39 migrants truck case.
The truck containing 39 migrant bodies discovered by British police in October 2019.
The trial, held in Bruges, Belgium, focuses on the journey of the 39 migrants truck from Anderlecht (Belgium) to the UK on October 22, 2019. According to the indictment, the smuggling group arranged two safe houses to hide the migrants. However, police discovered 39 bodies (31 men and 8 women, aged 15 to 44) in the truck trailer in Grays, Essex, England. The cause of death was determined to be suffocation due to the hot weather conditions. Investigations revealed that the victims had attempted to puncture the truck ceiling with poles but failed.
Bloodstains and Severe Sentences
A Belgian prosecutor shared at the trial that the bloodstains on the cargo door were the most haunting detail. British, Belgian, and Vietnamese police have cooperated in investigating the 39 migrants truck case. Previously, in January 2021, seven men were sentenced in the UK to prison terms ranging from 3 to 27 years. In Vietnam, 4 men were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 years. The truck driver, Maurice Robinson, received a sentence of 13 years and 4 months for 39 counts of manslaughter and money laundering.
Truck driver Maurice Robinson charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in prison in January.
Smuggling Ring Leader and Expanded Operations
Authorities identified the suspected leader of the 39 migrants truck ring as a 45-year-old Vietnamese man, believed to be Vo Van Hung. Hung is accused of running a criminal organization, controlling migrants’ phones, monitoring their journey in Brussels, and hiring an Irish transportation company to bring migrants into the UK. If convicted, Hung could face up to 15 years in prison and confiscation of assets worth 2 million euros.
The trial of the 23 suspects in Belgium is expected to last several weeks to reach a final verdict. Belgian prosecutors have requested sentences ranging from 18 months to 15 years. The investigation is still ongoing, and police are searching for 2 more suspects. The 39 migrants truck case highlights the cruelty of human trafficking and poses significant challenges in preventing this activity.
