Sixteen People Found in Lorry on Ferry to Rosslare, Ireland

November 21: Sixteen people have been discovered in a lorry on a ferry travelling from France to the Irish port of Rosslare.

They were found in a “sealed trailer” on a Stena Line sailing from Cherbourg to Rosslare in County Wexford.

All 16 people were reported to be “in good health” and have been taken to a private passenger lounge, according to a Stena Line statement.

The ferry is due to dock at 15:30 Irish time and Stena Line said it has alerted security and immigration authorities.

‘Banging on Trailer’

The vessel left Cherbourg on Wednesday night at about 21:00 local time.

The 16 people were discovered on Thursday morning during a “routine inspection” of the vehicle deck, according to Stena Line.

It is understood that the group was found after banging was heard on the side of the trailer shortly before 10:00 on Thursday.

They were quickly released from the trailer and brought to a passenger lounge.

The 16 are believed to be all men, aged approximately between 20 and 40 years old.

Rosslare Europort is owned by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail).

A spokeswoman for Iarnród Éireann told BBC News NI that Stena Line had informed port authorities about the discovery of several people in a lorry on Thursday morning.

She said Iarnród Éireann will “co-operate fully with the Garda and immigration authorities” and facilitate them at the port in any way they can”.

Source: BBC