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Sixty-eight immigrants found in Harwich International port container Sixty-eight immigrants found in Harwich International port container
(35 minutes later)
Sixty-eight immigrants have been found locked in a container at a port in Essex. Sixty-eight immigrants, including two pregnant women, have been found locked in a container at a port in Essex.
They were discovered at Harwich International Port at about 22:00 BST on Thursday, East of England Ambulance Service said. They were discovered during routine checks by the Border Force at Harwich International Port at about 22:00 BST on Thursday.
Seven people, all believed to be adults, were taken to Colchester Hospital suffering from non life-threatening abdominal and chest pains. The pregnant women were among seven people taken to Colchester Hospital suffering from non life-threatening abdominal and chest pains.
The remaining 61 were assessed and released to immigration officials.The remaining 61 were assessed and released to immigration officials.
Matthew Broad, from the ambulance service, said the "immigrants were a number of mixed nationals from a number of countries, European and further afield". The BBC understands the container was on a ferry from the Hook of Holland, operated by Stena Line.
A port spokesman said the stowaways were believed to have been found as part of routine checks being carried out by the Border Force.
Matthew Broad, from East of England Ambulance Service, said the "immigrants were a number of mixed nationals from a number of countries, European and further afield".
'Similar pattern''Similar pattern'
Essex Police said Border Force staff were taking the lead on the incident as it "relates to immigration offences".
Last August, one man died when 35 Afghan Sikh migrants were found in a container at Tilbury Docks.Last August, one man died when 35 Afghan Sikh migrants were found in a container at Tilbury Docks.
They were discovered after dock workers heard banging and screaming coming from one of the containers.They were discovered after dock workers heard banging and screaming coming from one of the containers.
Mr Broad said there appeared to be a "similar pattern" to Thursday's incident.Mr Broad said there appeared to be a "similar pattern" to Thursday's incident.
"We have experience of dealing with this in Essex, and one of the things we were concerned about was the length of time they'd been in there.""We have experience of dealing with this in Essex, and one of the things we were concerned about was the length of time they'd been in there."