Deaths fuel calls for stowaway rethink
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II by Charles Young
International hauliers are likely to face increased pressure to check their trucks for illegal immigrants in the aftermath of this week's tragedy in which 58 stowaways were found dead in a Dutch truck at Dover.
But in the longer term it could lead to better co-operation between EU states to crack down on the criminal gangs which fuel the trade.
In the Commons on Monday, Home Secretary Jack Straw claimed that the controversial fine system introduced in April had reduced the number of illegal immigrants entering the country by 26%. Straw did not rule out an increase of the £2,000-per-immigrant fine, but said it was too early to make a decision. The authorities are considering X-raying every truck that comes through the port of Dover.
Also on Monday, French President Jacques Chirac said that the 15 EU nations must act quickly to improve co-operation over immigration and asylum. And on Tuesday the Freight Transport Association told the Common's home affairs committee that there needed to be greater inter-governmental co-ordination against illegal immigration.
As Commercial Motor went to press, details of how the 54 men and four women died were still unavailable, although the cause was thought to be a mixture of heat and suffocation. All the victims were believed to be Chinese.
The refrigeration unit on the trailer belonging to a Dutch-registered company, Van Der Spek Transporten, had been switched off, possibly on Sunday morning in Zeebrugge, around 24 hours before the bodies were discovered.
Police were questioning the Dutch driver and looking far the man who had set up the company shortly before the crossing. The company has no connection with the reputable Dutch haulier Van Der Spek.