HÀ NỘI — The bodies and ashes of the remaining 23 victims in the Essex lorry incident arrived at Nội Bài international airport, Hà Nội on Saturday.

The victims were among the 39 found dead in a refrigerated lorry in Essex, the northeast of London, on November 23.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Vietnamese foreign ministry had partnered with Vietnamese and UK authorities to transport the bodies of 16 victims home.

The victims mostly came from the central provinces of Việt Nam while some were from the northern region, with the youngest victim being two fifteen-year-olds from Hải Phòng and Hà Tĩnh.

The repatriation of the victims’ bodies and ashes was the result of Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc’s instruction and concerted efforts of the foreign ministry, the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK and related agencies and local authorities in working closely with the UK side, guiding the victims’ families in completing necessary procedures and organising the transportation.

PM Phúc earlier sent his condolences to the victims’ families and requested authorities to urgently investigate and bring to justice the wrongdoers in this case.

The flag carrier Việt Nam Airlines Corporation also provided active support for the repatriation.

The verification, citizen protection and transportation of victims home were conducted in a humanitarian spirit and in accordance with international law as well as laws and customs of both countries. — VNS

Vietnamese authorities examine and verify the remains before handing them over for local governments' representatives and the victims' families to be brought back to their hometowns. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh