Essex Lorry Deaths: Police Declare Two Brother Wanted

Two brothers are wanted on suspicion of manslaughter over 39 people found dead in a lorry in Essex.

Ronan Hughes, 40, and Christopher Hughes, 34, from Armagh in Northern Ireland, are also wanted by police on suspicion of human trafficking.

The 39 bodies were found in the lorry trailer on an industrial estate in Grays on Wednesday.

Police believe the Hughes brothers are in Northern Ireland but say they have links to the Republic of Ireland.

The driver of the lorry, Maurice Robinson, also from Northern Ireland, appeared in court on Monday charged with a string of offences, including 39 counts of manslaughter.

Det Ch Supt Stuart Hooper said: “Finding and speaking to the Hughes brothers is crucial to our investigation.

“This is a case where 39 men and women have tragically died and support from the community is going to be vital to help bring those responsible to justice.”

Essex Police said Ronan Hughes also goes by the name Rowan. The force asked for anyone with information about the brothers’ whereabouts to contact officers.

Three other people arrested – a 38 year-old man, a 38 year-old woman, and a 46 year-old man – have all been released on bail.