These are the first photographs of the lorry where 39 bodies were discovered today.

The red and white lorry is pictured at Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, Essex, surrounded by forensic teams.

It is seen beside a white police tent in the aerial shots.

A teenager's body was among the 39 discovered in the HGV at around 1.40am.

It's unclear who they are or exactly how they came into the country but one of the biggest murder investigations in British history is underway.

A 25-year-old lorry driver from Northern Ireland has been arrested, Essex Police says.

Detectives believe the vehicle was travelling from Bulgaria and entered the UK three days ago via Holyhead in north Wales, one of the main port for ferries from Ireland.

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The lorry is pictured for the first time (
Image:
Skty News)

The crime scene is just a short distance from intu Lakeside shopping centre and the M25 Dartford Crossing.

Speaking previously, Chief Superintendent Andrew Mariner, of Essex Police, said: "This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened.

"We are in the process of identifying the victims, however I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process.

"We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead on Saturday 19 October and we are working closely with our partners to investigate.

Thirty-nine people, including a teenager, have been found dead inside a lorry container (
Image:
Sky News)

"We have arrested the lorry driver in connection with the incident who remains in police custody as our enquiries continue. I appreciate this cordon is going to disrupt the activity of local businesses in the area and we will work to ensure that disruption is kept as short as possible.  

"We are working with Thurrock Council to mitigate against any impact our investigation scene will have locally."

In a tweet published shortly before 10.30am Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I’m appalled by this tragic incident in Essex.

"I am receiving regular updates from the Home Office & will work closely with Essex Police as we establish exactly what has happened. My thoughts are with all those who lost their lives & their loved ones."

Witnesses near the industrial estate described the 'awful' scene (
Image:
Sky News)
Police are seen at the industrial estate today (
Image:
PA)

Glen Freeland, from GSF Car Parts which is close to where the bodies were found, said staff could not access the shop on Eastern Avenue on Wednesday morning.

"The manager went to get into work this morning and it was cordoned off and we've been moved to a different area," Mr Freeland said.

"All we know is they found the bodies in the back of a lorry.

"It was a bit of a shock but we're not 100 per cent sure of what's happened."

A restaurant worker in the industrial estate, who did not want to be named, said: "There's a lot of police and forensics. We've just seen what has been said online. It's awful.

"We thought maybe someone had broken into a lorry, but it's just awful."