Vietnam, UK discuss coordination in identifying Essex tragedy victims

Minister of Public Security To Lam holds phone conversation with the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on October 30.

This is the second phone talks between Viet Nam over the past week. Earlier Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung also talked over phone with UK Minister for Asia and the Pacific Heather Wheeler about the tragedy.

Lam expressed regret over the tragedy in Essex county, saying that right after receiving information on the incident, the Ministry promptly and proactively directed its units and localities to quickly conduct verification, collect information and stand ready to join hands with the UK side when requested.

The two sides also exchanged ideas on a number of relevant issues, and agreed on various important contents in the coordination.

Minister Lam thanked the UK Secretary for her goodwill in cooperating and sharing information on the incident, affirming that the Ministry has been and will be continuing to closely cooperate with relevant authorities of the UK to investigate the case.

The Ministry is ready to send working teams to the UK to join hands with its police in investigating and verifying identities of the victims, said Lam.

He expressed his hope that the UK will take measures to stabilize security and safety of the Vietnamese citizens studying and working in the UK.

Lam also suggested that both sides should foster their effective cooperation in the fields of mutual interest, especially in combatting human trafficking.

Over the past days, Vietnamese polices have taken forensic samples from people in central Viet Nam after they reported to local authorities that their family members may be among the victims of the Essex tragedy.

The DNA collection aims to support the identification of nationalities of the 39 victims.

In his statement released on October 30, UK Ambassador to Viet Nam Gareth Ward said the UK side commits to working with the Vietnamese side as the investigation and process of identifying victims continues.

"We continue to work closely with the Vietnamese Government and remain committed to tackling all forms of human trafficking," according to the doplomat's second statement within the past week.