Man dies as 31 people, including 7 children, found in shipping container at UK dock

A man has died after more than 30 people - including children - were found in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks in Essex, reported British media. 

Two people have been taken to hospital while others with "significant health problems" are being treated by ambulance crews, police said.

The discovery was made on Saturday when the ship, which had arrived from Zeebrugge, Belgium, was being unloaded.

In a statement, Essex Police said of the discovery: "Thirty-one people, including adults and children of both genders, were found inside.

"One man has sadly died and the others have significant health problems.

"They are being treated by ambulance crews and are being taken to local hospitals."

Seven ambulances sent

Basildon Hospital said on its Twitter feed that it is "responding to a major incident", adding: "A&E is open, but please be aware that waiting times may be extended."

A spokeswoman for the hospital said they are providing treatment for 19 people including seven children. She added: "They are all currently being assessed."

The East of England Ambulance service confirmed a hazardous area response team had been sent, reported The Mirror.

They said they were called to the docks at 6.37am (1.37pm Singapore time)  to treat people who had been found in a container.

A statement said: "We sent seven ambulances, two rapid response cars, a patient transport services vehicle, two duty operational managers, two Basics doctors and our hazardous area response team (Hart), a number of which are still on scene."

The nationalities of the people has not been disclosed. 

Source: BBC, Telegraph, Mirror