BBC assists in the release of suspected migrants trapped in a cold container truck

Six suspected migrants have been rescued from a lorry in France with the help of the BBC, who alerted the police. The individuals, four Vietnamese women and two Iraqi women, were trapped in the back of the lorry and struggling to breathe. One of them managed to contact the BBC for help. The police were able to stop the truck and arrest the driver. An investigation into a suspected illegal immigration ring has been opened by French police. The incident occurred after someone sent a message to the BBC about people crossing the border from France to England in a refrigerated van. The BBC then received a panicked call for help. The incident brought back memories of the tragic deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a lorry trailer in Essex in 2019. Despite the caller not providing full information, the BBC was able to determine that the lorry was in France and had changed direction. The trapped women were cold and panicking, but one of them was able to share her live GPS location. The BBC contacted colleagues in France and alerted the police. However, communication was interrupted, and it was feared that the trapped individuals were running out of air. Eventually, the police located and intercepted the lorry. The four Vietnamese women and two Iraqi women stated that they believed they would be safely transported to England. The driver of the vehicle is now under investigation. The incident raises questions about why young girls from Vietnam continue to risk their lives by attempting to cross borders in the back of trucks.