Man dies as police find 31 people in a container

A man has died and other people have been taken to local hospitals with “significant health problems” after 31 adults and children were found inside a shipping container at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

Basildon Hospital said on its Twitter feed that it is “responding to a major incident”, adding: “A&E is open, but please be aware that waiting times may be extended.”

A spokeswoman for the hospital said they are providing treatment for 19 people including seven children. She added: “They are all currently being assessed.”

Essex Police were called after the people were found on the container, which arrived on a ship from Zeebrugge in Belgium and was being unloaded at 7.35am by Port of Tilbury authorities.

A police spokesman said: “Thirty one people, including adults and children of both genders, were found inside. One man has sadly died and the others have significant health problems. They are being treated by ambulance crews and are being taken to local hospitals.”

Police are dealing with the incident alongside staff from Port of Tilbury, UK Border Force and the East of England Ambulance Service, the spokesman said, while a casualty bureau is being set up.

The East of England Ambulance service confirmed a hazardous area response team had been sent.

They said they were called to the docks at 6.37am to treat people who had been found in a container.

A statement said: “ We sent seven ambulances, two rapid response cars, a patient transport services vehicle, two duty operational managers, two Basics doctors and our hazardous area response team (Hart), a number of which are still on scene.

“Our initial priority is to assess the level and nature of any injuries, and ensure that those people in most need are treated first and taken to hospital.

“At present, we have taken two patients to Basildon and Thurrock Hospital and are still on scene treating and triaging others.

“We are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene, with our priority to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”

A spokesman for Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, said it was “currently on standby to receive cases”.